David Benedict Lange

David Benedict Lange, 74, of Rowena, died Saturday March 17, 2012 at Shannon Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born February 1, 1938 in Rowena to Frank August and Isabella Annie (Dierschke) Lange. He married Patricia (Pat) Hoelscher on January 13, 1962 in Olfen, TX. Together they farmed in the Rowena area and raised a family of five girls. They celebrated their fiftieth anniversary this year.

Active in his church and community, David was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena and was a Fourth Degree Knight as a member of the Rowena Knights of Columbus and he and Pat had received the Texas Knights of Columbus Family of the Year Award, partly for their work organizing the local blood drive for 17 years.
He had served on the church’s Parrish Council and Finance Committee and in years past had served on the St. Joseph School Board.

He was a charter member of the Rowena Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Ballinger Young Farmers and received the Runnels Soil Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1996 and the Zone 2 Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1997.

Besides his passion for farming and raising Holstein calves, David had a love of playing dominoes with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Edna Schaefer; and brothers-in-law, Harvey Gully and Hilmer Schaefer

David is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Pat of Rowena; his girls, Wanda Gully and husband, Gene of Mereta, Sharon Wanoreck and husband, Michael of Lowake, Becky Smetana and husband, Wayne of Eola, Gayle Kalina and husband, Cecil of Miles and Jeane Irby and husband Mark of Rowena; his friend that he loved like a daughter, Tramella Lemond; and his grandchildren, Ethan Gully, Brandon Gully, Jamie Wanoreck, Jacalyn Wanoreck, Jodi McCartney and husband, Casey and their daughter, Emeri, Travis Wanoreck and fiancé, Bethany Bartosch, Dava Smetana, Victoria Kalina, Jessica Kalina, Alexandria Kalina, and Christopher Irby. Three sisters, Elaine Pelzel and husband, Leroy of Miles, Bernice Gully, and Mae Dell Schaefer both of Rowena; a brother Andrew Lange and wife, Helen of Rowena; and a brother-in-law, Lester Schaefer of Ballinger, also survive.

Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 20 at 10:00 am also at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Ariel Lagunilla and Msgr. Benedict Zientek con celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Building Fund, C/O St. Joseph Catholic Church, 506 Edward St.,Rowena, Texas 76875.