Dean Edward Lange

Dean Lange

Dean Edward Lange, a devoted family man, devout Christian, and accomplished engineer, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2024, in Bellevue, WA, at the age of 99.

Dean was born on September 17, 1924, in Bloomfield, NE, the second of five sons born to William F. Lange and Elsie Lucile Lange.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Esther Josephine Lange; his five children: Janiece Lynn Haug, William Dean Lange, Marcia Lucile Cook, Jeffrey Alan Lange, and Mark Raymond Lange; and his brother, Robert Gene Lange. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Dale William Lange, Billy Weber Lange, and Raymond Ralph Lange.

Despite the hardships of the Great Depression, Dean cherished his childhood, which included many visits to the family farm in Hornick, IA. There, he made lasting memories with his brothers and many cousins. Family vacations often involved fishing trips to Minnesota.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and was called to active duty in 1943. Serving aboard the USS Midway, Dean distinguished himself on dive bombers and torpedo bombers during World War II and received an honorable discharge in 1946.

Following his military service, Dean pursued higher education, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska. He enjoyed a fulfilling 38-year career at Boeing, retiring in 1988, where his work contributed significantly to the 747 and 767 programs.

On August 20, 1954, Dean married Esther Klinkenberg, with whom he shared a loving and enduring partnership. Together, they raised five children: Janiece, William, Marcia, Jeffrey, and Mark, and were proud grandparents to eight grandchildren.

Along with his family, Dean’s Christian faith was a central part of his life. He was an active member and leader at Pilgrim Lutheran Church (now Joy Lutheran Church) for over 60 years.

In his retirement, Dean became an avid tennis player. His daily matches at Bellevue Club with close friends continued into his nineties and were a top priority for him each morning. Woodworking, a long-time hobby, also became a passionate pursuit later in life.

A memorial service to honor Dean’s life will be held on September 3, 2024, at 11:00am, at Joy Lutheran Church in Bellevue, WA.  A reception will follow the service, after which the family will attend a military service for Dean. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lutheran Ministry Services Northwest or American Legion.