Joseph Lange

Joseph H. "Joe" Lange, Jr., age 68 of Upsala, died peacefully, surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at his home in Upsala, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 22 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Upsala with Rev. John Odero officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Joseph Henry Lange, Jr. was born May 16, 1947 in Little Falls, Minnesota to Joseph, Sr. and Rose (Herbes) Lange. Joe graduated from Upsala High School in 1965 and then served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1966 through 1968. He was united in marriage to Diane Julkowski on May 10, 1969 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis. Joe worked construction until 1983. One of Joe's favorite jobs was being involved in the construction of the Upsala Recreation Building. He then worked part time for Herdering, Inc., Upsala Senior Center, Royal Farms, and South Side Sand and Gravel.

Joe had resided in Upsala for 41 years and was a member of the Upsala Volunteer Fire Department for 33 of those years. He was also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Upsala and the Laborer's Union Local 563. Joe was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Gophers, and the Upsala Blue Jays. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing cards, especially cribbage. Joe loved spending time with his family. His grandchildren were the highlight of his life; he loved taking them to "the station" for donuts. Joe had spent his last two weeks at home with his family and grandchildren prior to his passing. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Lange of Upsala; children, Kerri (Kurt) Timm of Buffalo and B.J. (fiancé, Nina Hylla) Lange of Upsala; three grandchildren, Halle, Macie, and Bradon; brothers, Adolph Lange of Sartell, Gene (Phyllis) Lange of Waite Park, Dan (Rita) Lange of St. Francis, and Steve (Brenda) Lange of St. Joseph; and sisters, Darlene (Hank) Kostreba of Opole and Paulette (Harold) Meier of Superior, Wisconsin.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jodi Lange in 1989; and brother, David Lange in 2012.

Serving as cross bearer will be Halle Timm. Gift bearers will be Nina Hylla, Bradon Lange, Kurt Timm, and Macie Timm and serving as honorary bearers will be former and current members of the Upsala Blue Jays baseball team.