Florence Lange

Florence M. Lange, age 93 of St. Francis, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, October 17, 2016 at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 20 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis with Rev. Cletus Connors, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the Christian Mothers and Catholic United Financial at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening at the church.

Florence Mary Batcha was born June 23, 1923 in Elmdale Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to Joseph and Mary (Elkanics) Batcha. She graduated from Upsala High School and moved to Minneapolis. On May 21, 1946 she married Hubert Lange at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bowlus. The couple farmed and lived near St. Francis until 1994. After the death of her husband, she moved to Freeport. She enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, and gardening. She also enjoyed playing cards and BINGO, and loved spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Florence was a life-long member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where she was a member of the sewing circle, Christian Mothers, and the Catholic Aid Society for more than 50 years.

Survivors include her daughters, Marlene Jennissen of Sauk Centre, Jane (Loren) Scherping of Freeport, Joyce (Dan) Schulzetenberg of Freeport, and Shirley (Ken) Utsch of Paynesville; 17 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren with four on the way, and two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Verna Kotzer of Minneapolis; and sister-in-law, Marian Batcha of Minneapolis.

Florence was preceded in death by her, parents; husband, Hubert Lange on October 21, 1994; son, Marvin on December 26, 1971; son-in-law, Pete Jennissen on July 14, 2013; brothers, Clarence, Raymond, and Leo Batcha; sister, Eleanor Wehseler; and sisters-in-law, Carol Batcha and Elsie Batcha.

Serving as casket bearers will be Kelli Arceneau, Karen Jennissen, Kari Schulzetenberg, Randy Scherping, Bryan Scherping, Dale Utsch, and Brad Utsch. Cross bearer will be Lori Scherping and scripture bearer will be Kristi Fuchs. Mass servers will be Kaitlyn and Alex Gilk. Eucharistic Minister will be Sister Alice Imdieke, O.S.B. and reader will be Wendy Gilk. Honorary bearers will be Florence's neighbors.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mother of Mercy Senior Living in Albany and the St. Cloud Hospital for the wonderful care Florence received for the last five years, and a special thank you to the St. Croix Hospice for their care as well.