Shirley Ann Lange

She was born October 27, 1926 in What Cheer, Iowa to Mark John and Marie Ruth (Coleman) Orndorff. She was raised in New London, Iowa attending school and graduating from New London High School in 1944. She then attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Burlington, Iowa, as a naval cadet nurse, graduating in 1947. She married her high school sweetheart Cecil W. Lange on December 7, 1947. She worked at her alma mater, and as an office nurse following her husband’s career until 1954 when they moved to Ames, Iowa while Cecil attended Iowa State University. She worked at the McFarland Clinic in Ames, Iowa managing an OB practice, and teaching prenatal classes. In 1962 the family moved to Ft. Madison, Iowa, where Cecil practiced as a veterinarian for 3 years. In 1965 they moved to Pekin where Cecil practiced at Pekin Animal Hospital, and later founded the Lange Animal Clinic. Shirley was a very active supporter of his professional life.

Shirley was a lifelong Presbyterian and active member of Pekin First United Presbyterian Church. She believed in moderation in living and predestination as cornerstones of her life. She was a natural leader who believed in service over self, and was a friend to all she met. She was a member and past president of Chapter GW of the PEO Sisterhood. In 2006 she was the recipient of the Salvation Army Others Award. She was a member of the Pekin Hospital League and Pekin Country Club. She provided shuttle service to cancer patients. Shirley rarely sat still, earning her the nickname “The Roadrunner”. Her family and friends meant everything to her, and she was tireless in her support and caregiving. She and Cecil enjoyed travel and had friendships throughout the country and abroad. Shirley enjoyed playing cards and was an excellent bridge player. She loved hosting family and friends. She was a sports fan and supported her family in all their activities. She was an ardent supporter of Pekin High School Sports and the Holiday Tournament, and of the Sunset Best Ball Golf Tournament.

Shirley is survived by son, Scott (Mary) Lange of Wichita, Kansas, daughter, Nancy (Richard) Kriegsman of Pekin, and son, Jeffrey (Janet) Lange of Pekin. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Katie (Hani) Bashary of Bloomington, David (Amy) Lange of Darien, Amy (Shachar) Meron of Savoy, Drew (Lana) Lange of Wichita, Kansas, Meg (Brandon) Smith of Decatur, Georgia, Scott (Katherine) Kriegsman of Pekin, Betsy (Jason) Hofer of Peoria, Daniel Lange of Chicago, and Robert Lange of Chicago. She was so proud to have 19 great-grandchildren, Leila, Mai, and Amira Bashary of Bloomington; Cecily and Dolan Lange of Darien; Mattie, Emmie, Grace, and Jack Meron of Savoy; Piper, Beckett, and Annie Lange of Wichita, Kansas; Eloise, Theodore and Juniper Smith of Decatur, Georgia, Sydney, Brady, and Penny Hofer of Peoria; and Samuel Kriegsman of Pekin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Dr. Cecil Lange on November 12, 2008; her brother, Ronald Orndorff; her sister and brother-in-law, Jack and Donna Kuehnle, and in-laws Glenn and Thalen Lange, Gerald and Kay Lange, Leona and Fred Hardin, and Rosemary and Bill Malcom. She loved her many nieces and nephews.

Her family would like to thank the compassionate care she received from Morningside, Pekin Manor and Harbor Light Hospice teams.

Her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2021 at First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin. Pastor Samuel Gibb will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Presbyterian Church of Pekin, 1717 Highwood Ave., Pekin, IL, 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com