Reverend Father Donald Francis Lange

The Reverend Father Donald Francis Lange entered eternal life Friday, April 4, 2025, after 89 years of life, at Sienna Meadows Memory Care in Oregon, Wisconsin. He was born June 22, 1935, in Louisburg, Wisconsin, and baptized at Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Kieler in June 1935. Fr. Lange is predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Adella (Ihm) Lange.

After attending Immaculate Conception Parish Grade School in Kieler, Wisconsin, Fr. Lange completed his high school studies at Loras Academy, Dubuque, Iowa. He served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. He completed his general collegiate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He then taught English for two years at New Lisbon High School. He completed his philosophical studies at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut, and his theological studies at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wisconsin. Fr. Lange also completed graduate studies in Religious Education at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. Fr. Lange was ordained to the sacred priesthood by The Most Reverend Cletus F. O’Donnell, Bishop of Madison, on May 23, 1970, at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison.

Fr. Lange began ministering in the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar at St. William Parish, Janesville. Fr. Lange also served as an instructor at Beloit Catholic High School for 20 years. Fr. Lange ministered as pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Benton; St. Joseph Parish, Sinsinawa; St. Bridget Parish, Ridgeway, with mission to Immaculate Conception Parish, Barneveld, from which he retired as Pastor Emeritus. Fr. Lange also served on the Diocese of Madison Ecumenical Commission, on the advisory committee to the Madison Catholic Herald newspaper, and on the Diocese of Madison Reconciliation and Arbitration Board. Fr. Lange participated in the Rock County jail ministry, and celebrated Mass at Oakhill Correctional Center in Oregon.

Fr. Lange was an accomplished baseball and softball player. He played for 15 years as an adult, once making the Tri-County All Star Baseball team and once making the Janesville Church League All Star softball team. For 42 years, he coached various levels of baseball, including serving as assistant baseball coach for Beloit Catholic High School for 19 years. Fr. Lange also coached two years of football, and in his later years, participated in senior softball throwing contests.

In addition to his interest in sports, Fr. Lange wrote a monthly column for The Catholic Herald and published columns in other newspapers. He rode bicycles, walked, jogged, lifted weights and wrote numerous books of poetry and prose. Above all, he enjoyed preaching and presiding at Mass, telling children’s stories and serving people of all ages and faiths.

Fr. Lange is survived by his siblings, Charles “Chuck” (Emmy) Lange of Asbury, Iowa, and Mary Ann Rice of Appleton, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Jane (Bob) Craven and Donna Mae (Tom) Bonz; a brother, Herb (Carol) Lange; and a brother-in-law, Dale Rice.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 3685 County Rd. HHH, Kieler, Wisconsin, on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 11:00 am. The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass, with the Reverend Father Bart Timmerman, Parochial Administrator of the parishes of Queen of Martyrs Pastorate, Beloit, as homilist. A visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Church both on Friday, April 11 from 9:00 a.m. until shortly before the time of the Funeral Mass, and earlier on Thursday, April 10, from 3-7:00 p.m., with a scripture service at 2:45 p.m. Burial at Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery, Kieler, will take place immediately following the Funeral Mass on Friday, April 11, with a luncheon to follow at the Immaculate Conception Parish School cafeteria.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.caseymcnett.com.