Obituary of Elfriede Hilda Lange
Elfriede Hilda Lange
(August 9, 1933 - July 16, 2020)
Elfriede Lange of Millet, Alberta, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at the age of 86 years.
Elfriede was born to Wilhelm and Hulda (Tauber) Hetman, the oldest of four children. She grew up near Onoway, speaking German at home. After high school, Elfriede attended the Vermillion School of Agriculture and obtained a diploma in Home Economics. Elfriede was proud to have worked at the Onoway Creamery and to have attended both the Banff School of Fine Arts for Leadership training and the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute (CLBI).
In 1954, she married Gus Lange and moved to the Porto Bello (Millet) area, where they raised their five children and where she lived until her passing. Elfriede worked hard alongside her husband on the farm. Harvests from her garden were bountiful, whether it was flowers, fruits, or vegetables. She truly had a green thumb! Her children and grandchildren looked forward to her canned peaches and fruit pies every summer. Whether it was from her garden, sewing room, or oven, Elfriede took every opportunity to share her provisions and give to others. She cared for everyone the Lord sent her way and she gave generously of her time and resources to the people she loved.
Elfriede welcomed newcomers into the community with open arms and a fresh pie or a tin of cookies. She took the teaching to “Love thy neighbour” to heart and valued the relationships and support that were given and received between her and her neighbours. Elfriede was a leader and was not afraid to take on organizing and planning responsibilities. Elfriede served her church and community by helping with Sunday school, VBS, the ELW at the local, synod (Western Canada), and national level, and by leading 4-H. Hard-working and disciplined, she continued to judge at country fairs until she was 85.
Outgoing and social, Elfriede was always eager to visit, travel, and do things. She was always up for a trip, whether it was to visit one of her grandchildren, the hot springs, or to meet her extended family in Germany and France. Gifted at making conversation, Elfriede would meet and make new friends whom she kept in touch with through letter writing for years. A courageous woman, with an unwavering faith, Elfriede faced cancer with hope and her eyes fixed on the Lord. Each day she remained grateful and gave thanks for the blessings in her life.
Her most important blessings, and the ones left to treasure her memory are: sons Brent and Delbert; daughters Esther and Larry McDonald, Teresa and Dave McDonald, Crystal and Robert Krueger; grandchildren Darrin, Heather, Melinda, Jennifer, Naomi, Pamela, Jill, Gus, Corey, Dakin, Marissa, Madisyn; thirteen great-grandchildren; sisters Ruth (Gord) and Helen (Ted); and sister-in-law Joan. She was predeceased by her husband Gus; her parents; and brother Edwin. Elfriede will also be remembered by many friends, extended family and neighbours who were a meaningful part of her life.
Due to Covid 19, a celebration of Elfriede’s life will be held at a later date.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Elfriede's memory may be made to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation or the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
