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Phyllis B. Lange unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her Grand Island home Sept. 18, 2019.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Jan. 19, 1927, she was the wife of the late Rev. James A. Lange; mother of three sons: Jared, Glenn, and Mark (Marcia) Lange; grandmother of eight: Adam, Nathanael, Scott, Matthew, Joshua, Keven, Jacob, and Marissa Lange; great-grandmother of 11 (one deceased).
Phyllis Nordstrom and James Lange each dedicated their lives to Christian ministry and service while attending church camp as young adults. After their marriage in 1946, Phyllis worked to support her new husband as he earned his Divinity Degree and became an ordained pastor. Together they began a new church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and continued to minister faithfully at churches in Michigan and New York for the rest of their lives. Phyllis was actively involved as a teacher, a youth leader, missions fundraiser, and a women’s society leader. She was a cofounder of Buffalo’s Central City Café, for which she worked as a volunteer for more than 30 years. She lived her life in Christian service to others, as she promised to so many years before. Phyllis brought love and joy to everyone she knew and everyone she met. She truly carried an inner light that shone everywhere she went.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at Trinity United Methodist Church of Grand Island, 2100 Whitehaven Road. In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Phyllis can be made to Trinity UMC in support of youth ministries and camp experiences.