Linus W. Lange

Linus William Lange, age 91 of Fordyce, Nebraska died surrounded by family on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family (Sts. Peter and Paul) Catholic Church in Bow Valley, Nebraska with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Burial will be at Sts. Peter & Paul cemetery in Bow Valley. Visitation will be on Thursday, at Sts. Peter & Paul, from 5-8:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Pallbearers will be grandsons; Kaio Uhing, Jacob Zimmerman, Kyle Potratz, Chad Uhing, Matthew Nelson, William Potratz and Derek Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be Linus’ grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Linus William was born on December 27, 1934 in Fordyce, Nebraska to Edward J. and Theresa M. (Kleinschmit) Lange. He grew up on the family farm between Fordyce and Bow Valley. His first eight years of schooling were at District 108 Country School, 9th and 10th grades in Fordyce and 11th and 12th grades at Holy Trinity H.S. in Hartington, graduating in 1952. Linus grew up farming with his Dad, worked at Gavin’s Point Dam and helped to build Highway 12. Linus married June Eileen Schulte on February 4, 1967 in Bow Valley, NE. He continued to farm, sold Vigortone Feed and milked cows until retirement. His children grew up learning the values and lessons of the farm life. Linus and June ran a rural mail route for many years.

Linus was a member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Choir and parish council, Bow Valley Plow Boys Choir, he led the rosary before masses and was devoted to his weekly holy hour. He was a schoolboard member of East Catholic and Cedar Catholic Schools and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Linus served on the Cedar Security Bank board for 50 years. He was a committed blood donor with 10 + gallons donated over the years. He was a proud member of the Bow Valley Park Association and Schuetzenfest Honor Guard. He loved to go snagging for spoonbill on the Missouri River. He was an avid member of a rotating Sheepshead card club and later enjoyed both Pinochle and Sheepshead at the Hartington Senior Center. Linus was a seasoned gardener who loved to can his produce. He made open jar dill pickles in large crocks, which were a family favorite. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and they will forever remember their tractor rides and playing games with Grandpa.

Linus is survived by six children and spouses: Laura (Jay) Zimmerman of LaVista, NE, Christa (Bill) Uhing of Logan, IA, Diane (Mike) Nelson of Coleridge, NE, Jodi (Tim) Salvatori of Omaha, NE, Amy (Zane) Potratz of Spearfish, SD and John (Sheila) Lange of Fordyce, NE; 22 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; a sister Jeannie Schieffer of Crofton, brother Edward (Bernadette) Lange of Hartington and sister-in-law Evelyn Lange of Fordyce.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife June of 53 years, infant son Lester, sisters; Rainaldes (Harold) Schulte, Sylvia (Leander) Loecker, Colette (Jerry) Koch, Theresa (James) Stappert and Dianne Lange OSB, brother Marvin Lange and brother-in-law Loren Schieffer.

In Lieu of flowers, the family will direct monetary gifts to East & West Catholic School in Bow Valley and Sts. Peter & Paul tuck pointing project.