Trending
MANITOWOC, WI--the Rev. Douglas Fred Lange was the fourth child of Kermit and Joceline (McGlade) Lange, born on April 11, 1955, in Valley City, North Dakota. Doug was baptized into the Christian faith by Pastor Marvin Putz and attended weekly services at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. After age 8, Doug's family moved annually for jobs throughout the Midwest. During the summer between his freshman and sophomore years of high school, the family was settled enough in Janesville, Wisconsin for Doug to be confirmed and for the pastor to suggest Doug start attending Northwestern Lutheran Preparatory School to become a pastor. Playing sports was the highlight of his school years. He was a four-year high school and college athlete in football, wrestling and baseball.
He followed the path faithfully from Northwestern Prep to Northwestern College, both in Watertown, Wisconsin and ultimately continued his training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin during which time he met and was joined to Deanne Marie Otterstatter in holy matrimony on May 31, 1980 at Christ Lutheran Church in Eagle River, Wisconsin. He and Deanne spent his vicar year in Redwood Falls, Minnesota at St John Lutheran. In May, 1982, Doug graduated from seminary and was assigned to a new mission church, Faith Lutheran Church in Russellville, Arkansas (1982-1987). Doug's ministry spanned over 40 years, first as a parish pastor and then as a religion teacher, football, and baseball coach both at Arizona Lutheran Academy, Phoenix, Arizona (1987-1995) where he coached the football team to a state championship in 1992, and St. Croix Lutheran High School, West St. Paul, Minnesota, (1995-2005). After completing his full-time ministry at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota (2005-2023) where he coached football and track, was the 2009 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Football Coach of the Year, and taught Physical Education and Bible History and Literature, he served part-time as a pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church, Manitowoc, Wisconsin (2025-2026). His life was always dedicated to sharing the Gospel message of the forgiveness of sins through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, in which Doug now shares the ultimate reward promised to him in Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Some of Doug's happiest times of his earthly life were spent with his wife, Deanne, their four children, and 11 grandchildren. Most notable were the many camping, hunting, and fishing trips all over the country, finding the best fishing holes and hunting grounds in every state he visited; he also enjoyed the many summers and holidays spent at 7 Mile Pinecrest Resort in Eagle River, Wisconsin where Doug and Deanne gathered continually with their family and friends over the past 46 years. But his greatest joy was in knowing that all his children and grandchildren are walking faithfully in the truth and will be reunited with him soon in eternal joy in Heaven.
While playing a card game with friends on the evening of October 16, 2026, Doug fell asleep in Jesus. And while the family grieves his sudden earthly departure, they do not grieve as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) because "Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Doug is survived by his wife, Deanne, and their four children: Katie (Joseph) Jewell, Daniel (Sara) Lange, Emily (Brian) Graf, Jennifer (Nathan) Scharf, his grandchildren Madelyn, Olivia, Zachary, Noah, Richard, Sean, Theodore, Caleb, Lydia, Nora, and Elliott, his sister Marsha (Dwight) Vilhauer, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Kermit and Joceline (McGlade) Lange, and three sisters, Karen Gertz, Tresa Ewerdt, and JoAn Lange.
A Christian funeral service will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin with the Rev. Keith Wessel officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026 prior to the service. If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Arizona Lutheran Academy, St. Croix Lutheran High School, Manitowoc Lutheran High School, or Evergreen Lutheran High School. The Lakeshore Funeral Home, Pfeffer location is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com.