Helen Catherine (Johnstone) Lange passed peacefully at home on Sunday, June 20th, 2021.
Helen’s life was characterized by her creativity, talent, generousity, and initiative.
Born January 9th, 1929, in Dubuque, Iowa, she loved music and showed skills at multiple handicrafts from a young age. Over her long life, she turned her talents and ingenuity to many ventures from furnishing her home and creating holiday decor, to displaying satirical political humor, to elaborate costumes, to merely indulging her love of beauty and creativity in yarn, cloth, paint, or porcelain.
During 58 years of marriage she and her late husband, Jim, traveled extensively within the United States, as well as to more than 50 countries on 6 continents, forming lasting friendships in all corners of the world.
Helen’s generous spirit was demonstrated not just in the way she opened her home for family, friends, and other guests but in her broadspread community involvement. From Cub Scouts, Little League, and PTA when her children were young to hostessing parties for neighbors and colleagues and relatives, to organizing game nights with friends at her retirement community, she enjoyed life with the people she loved.
Her love of entertainment was also displayed in her many years performing in choir and with Lyric Theater, and in various musical presentations she gave to civic groups and charities.
Helen is survived by her sons, Jim and Robert, daughter Nancy, 11 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.
She is proceeded in death by her husband, Jim, her son Bill, her parents, and siblings.
The loss of her dynamic spirit and friendship will be deeply felt, not only by family and close friends, but by numerous others across the state, country, and world.
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