Janice M. Lange

Janice Marlene Lange, age 74, of Litchfield, MN, passed away on December 27, 2013, at the Bethany Memory Care Center in Litchfield. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM on Thursday at church. Arrangements have been made by Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Daughter of Stanley and Ardis (Bakken) Okland, Janice was born on August 19, 1939 in Albert Lea, MN. As a child, Jan's family moved many times with her father's job as a Ford Motor Parts Representative living in Waseca, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, Willmar, and Redwood Falls, MN. She graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1957 and attended Mankato State College where she received a Bachelor's Degree in 1961. Jan married college sweetheart James Lange on August 19, 1961, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls. She taught Spanish and English in Chatfield, MN for three years and continued her education at Mankato State receiving a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1965. Jan then worked as a guidance counselor at the Windom, MN High School. Jan and Jim adopted newborn sons, Jeff in 1971, and Jon in 1975, at which time she dedicated her energy to raising her young family. The family moved to Litchfield in 1982 where Jan was a beloved substitute teacher at the Litchfield High School for over 20 years. During this time, she cherished attending Jeff and Jon's school activities and sports events. Jan was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and WELCA. She was an avid reader and enjoyed bowling with friends, playing bridge, planning family vacations to Florida, and listening to music. Janice is survived by her husband James of Litchfield, MN; children Jeff (and Kristin) Lange of Waconia, MN and Jon (and fiancee Kelli Rice) Lange of Hugo, MN; grandchildren Joel, Taylor, Jaci, Jackson, Sami, Jaden, and Ryan; mother Ardis Thomas of Plymouth, MN; sister Sharon (and Tom) Taragos of Plymouth, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her father Stanley; her first step-father Jack Little and her second step-father Vernon Thomas.Previous Events Visitation Wednesday, January 2, 2013 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Wednesday, January 2, 2013 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355