Raymond “Ray” C. Lange, age 74 of Shawano, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, May 24, 2020, at his home with his family by his side.
Ray was born July 18, 1945 in Marinette, Michigan, a son of the late Raymond and Helen (Vanidestine) Lange. When he was young, Ray moved to various cities and states, settling in Green Bay where he was employed at Alwins Manufacturing Company. On April 17, 1963 he met the love of his life, Suzanne Samp. They went steady for six years, and were married on November 1, 1969 at the West Side Moravian Church in Green Bay. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Green Bay for ten years before moving to Shawano in 1979. Ray worked at the Shawano Paper Mill for nearly 32 years until retiring in 2012. Through the years Ray was also employed at Carver Boats, Northland Foods and 3-D Manufacturing. He helped his family establish businesses, Gretzinger Landscaping and Appeal Digital Image and Design. He took pride in helping them succeed. Most recently Ray worked his dream job as a part-time greeter at Culver’s in Shawano where he established many great friendships, including Brian.
Ray is a long time member of the West Side Moravian Church in Green Bay. To say he cherished his family is an understatement. His priority was to be a loving husband to Sue, an adoring father to his children, and a proud, devoted grandfather to seven grandsons. Mondays were Date Day with Sue, going to Keshena for chicken dinner and slots with Sharon and Bill Sadler, and playing the dice game L.C.R. with dear friend, Chuck Capelle, until they couldn’t laugh anymore. He enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events, whether it be scouting or multiple sporting events along with spending time with his puppy dog, Kuaile. Ray loved to shoot archery and taught his grandsons to shoot. For many years he and his son, Jason, belonged to an archery league. Ray also enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, leather work, daily cribbage games, and he took pride in decorating his house for all the holidays. These were among his favorite things to do. His lifelong dream was to go on a cruise with Suzanne, and they were able to do so for their 50th wedding anniversary. Ray’s last wish was to leave Froedtert Hospital so he could see his family before he passed.
Survivors include his devoted wife, Suzanne, of Shawano; three children, Jason (Janelle) Lange of Shawano, Shelley (Shane) Krueger, of Cloverleaf Lakes, and Melanie (Jeremy) Gretzinger of the Town of Washington; seven grandsons, James and Joshua Lange, Shad and Sheldon Krueger, and Landan, Keatan, and Noah Gretzinger; his sister, Anita (Dale) Marks of Green Bay; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Samp of Green Bay and Kelly Samp of Arkansas; his godsons, Stephen Samp of Green Bay and Christopher Allard of Colorado; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his twin sister in infancy; his sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Ben Allard; his brother Lloyd Lange; nephew, Timothy Lange; his father and mother-in-law, Edward and Jeanette Samp; and his brothers-in-law, Floyd and Wayne Samp.
A funeral service for Raymond C. Lange will be held on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Mickelson Funeral Service in Shawano. Pastor Marian Boyle-Rohloff will officiate. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Social distancing protocol of six feet will be enforced, and masks if you so desire.
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