Fred J. Lange, Jr., 73, of Conway Springs, passed away, Friday, March 8, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.

He was born Dec. 31, 1950, in Wichita to Fredrick Joseph Lange and Addie Valetta (Cline) Lange. He grew up in the Conway Springs community, where he attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Conway Springs public schools. He began working for Mid-Kansas Construction in Wichita as a young man.

Fred was united in marriage to Nancy June Ward on Feb. 3, 1968, at Conway Springs. They made their home in Conway Springs, where they raised their family of four children.

In 1973, Fred along with his brother Roger, established their family excavating business known as Lange Brothers. The company expanded doing work all over the South-Central Kansas and Oklahoma area. As the company grew and changed, it became known as Lange Excavating. His work brought him a great amount of joy and lifelong friendships over the years. Fred also farmed and raised cattle. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, trap shooter and gun collector. His wife, Nancy, passed away Jan. 2, 2022, with 53 celebrated years together.

Fred was a member of St. John's the Evangelist Catholic Church, Clonmel.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Linda Steffens; and a brother-in-law, Jerry Silvers.

Fred is survived by three sons, Kevin Lange (Sherri) of Carl Junction, Mo., Keith Lange (Tanya) of Clearwater, and Brian Lange (Joanne) of Conway Springs; one daughter, Alicia Fisher (James) of Conway Springs; three brothers, Roger (Val) Lange of South Carolina, and Royce (Sandy) Lange and Farrel (Alicia) Lange of Conway Springs; two sisters, Lucretia Silvers of Wichita, and Ronda (Jack) Dalbom of Viola; brother-in-law, Dave Steffens of Sanford, Fla.; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a number of other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Conway Springs. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, also at the church. Interment will follow in Conway Springs Cemetery, Conway Springs.

Arrangements were by Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs. Online condolences and guest book are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com.

A memorial has been established with St. Joseph Catholic School.