Evelyn Ann Lange

Lebanon, Ohio – Evelyn Ann Lange, 89, of Lebanon, Ohio passed away at 4:24 PM on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 in an automobile accident coming home from book club at the 741 Senior Center. Born July 10, 1934 in Ashland, Wisconsin to Eric Sanford Johnson and Anna (Hallberg) Johnson. Evelyn was the youngest of five children. She grew up in a Christian home, on a farm in Northern Wisconsin, with no electricity and an outhouse, and where she had to walk miles to and from a one-room schoolhouse…many times wearing snow shoes. She graduated high school early, at age 16, living in an apartment at age 15, because she had no other way to attend her high school. These early years formed her into a strong woman who knew not only how to survive in life, but also thrive. She moved to Chicago when she was 21, after working a few jobs in Ashland and traveling the midwest with God’s Bible Army ministry team. Evelyn possessed amazing secretarial skills and quickly discovered that she desired to use them serving her Lord and Savior. This is when she started working at Compassion International in the founder’s basement home office, during the early years of this now global ministry. This experience solidified her lifetime of working to help children in need through several Christian organizations, most of them serving alongside her husband. Evelyn married Carl R. Lange on November 24, 1961 in Chicago, after meeting him on a blind date introduced by mutual friends. Together Carl and Evelyn adopted four children and fostered several others. They loved to camp and travel as a family in their RV, often to the north woods near Ashland Wisconsin, an annual Thanksgiving week trip to Disney World, or following their favorite gospel singing group around the country. Carl and Evelyn were active members of Solsberry Christian Church for over 20 years. After Carl passed away in 2012, Evelyn helped to lead the GriefShare ministry at church. She actively volunteered at Area 10 Agency on Aging in Ellettsville, IN, Opportunity House Resale Store in Bloomington, IN, and later Caring Partners International in Franklin, OH. For over a year, Evelyn actively participated in the 741 Senior Center in Lebanon, OH where she was a beloved member. Surviving relatives include her sisters in law, Ruth Carlson of Illinois and Shirley Johnson of Wisconsin. Evelyn’s children, Eric & Rebecca (Ens) Lange of Ohio, Craig Lange of Indiana, Tracey Lange of Indiana, & Brandon Lange of Indiana. Her grandchildren, Matthew & Sarah (Fenton) Lange, Jonathan & Emily (Ogden) Lange, Andrew & Christine (Clark) Lange, Joshua Lange, Candace Carlson, Grace Lange, Liam Lange, Oliver Lange and Emily Lange; great-grandchildren, Addison Lange and Judah Lange. She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, and her husband of over 50 years. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday, August 20, 2023, at the Solsberry Christian Church, 10825 E. Christian Church Rd, Solsberry, IN 47459, with Minister Tom Mcnerney. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM and there will be a brief graveside moment at Solsberry Cemetery following the memorial service. Jenkins, Lester, & Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield is in charge of arrangements. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Solsberry Christian Church (www.solsberrycc.com), an amazing church family who has loved and cared for Evelyn and her family for over 20 years or Compassion International (www.compassion.com/ways-to-donate), a child-advocacy ministry pairing compassionate people with children living in extreme poverty to release them from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. Online condolences are available at www.jenkinsfuneralhomes.com/obituaries

Evelyn Ann Lange

July 10, 1934 - August 8, 2023