Lois Jean, daughter of Bertram “Bert” and Hildur (Sorensen) Wick was born on April 25, 1925 at Devils Lake ND. She was reared and educated in Devils Lake, graduating from Central High School as Valedictorian with the class of 1943. Lois attended Macalester College in St. Paul MN for two years, graduated from the State University of Iowa and then continued on at Katherine Gibbs in Chicago.
Lois met Paul Lange on a blind date and they were united in marriage on August 14, 1948 by Reverend E.L. Rude in St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. They lived for a time in Iowa city, Fargo and Jamestown and Lois was employed in each city, first as the secretary to the County Superintendent of Schools, NDSU and Jamestown College.
In the fall of 1952, they returned to Devils Lake and Lois joined her parents in the operation of KDLR. She continued as owner/operator of the radio station after the death of her parents. In 1986, Lois and Paul began spending the winter months in Florida where they enjoyed golf and fishing. Paul passed away on November 15, 2010.
Shortly after graduating from high school, Lois began taking flying lessons and was a licensed private pilot, FAA Certified Commercial Instrument Flight and Ground Operator with a helicopter rating. She taught ground flight school and flew the family to many vacation spots throughout the United States.
Lois was always very active in the community. She was a member of the Mrs. Jaycees and was the first state president; leader for the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Rainbow Girls; member and Past Matron of Eastern Star; Town and Country Club and was a Ladies Club Champion and the VFW Auxiliary. As part of KDLR, she was a member of the North Dakota Broadcaster’s Association and National Radio Broadcaster’s Association.
Lois loved many things, whether that be traveling the world, hunting, golfing, fishing (she and Paul were partners in the annual Fishing Tourney), sailing (Lois and a cousin won the Governor’s Cup Women’s Open), reading and attending every reunion of the 4th Amphibian Tractor Battalion with Paul. Between all of those hobbies, there was truly nothing she loved more than her family, and she did everything to make sure it was known. In the past several years, her fur babies (dogs and cats) became very important to her and were good company.
Lois is survived by her loving son Robert Paul and his wife Voni Lange of Devils Lake; son-in-law Kenneth Volk, Great Falls MT; grandchildren Amber Lange, Amanda Matheny, Macy Lange, Zachary Lange, Brynn Lange Dana Rurup, Jay Rurup, Joshua Volk, Jeffery Volk and many more great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and their families.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date.
She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, son Karl Lange and twin daughters Julia Volk and Jane Rurup.