Jan Lange Obituary

Jan B. Lange died peacefully, at her home in La Selva Beach, California from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Born in Cumberland, Kentucky, a remote coal mining town in the mountains of Appalachia, she was the first of three children born to Homer and Onibe Blevins. Jan shared wonderful memories of her childhood. Walking home from school, her first stop was the furniture store her dad owned, where she'd empty his pockets of change, then head to the drug store soda fountain for a coke with her older cousins, Bob and Gene, whom she adored. In High School, Jan was a cheerleader and played the trombone in the marching band. She also loved to play the piano. The Cumberland Methodist Church community, where Onibe was the church organist, was an anchor in her childhood. At 17, she was sent to an all girls college, Lindenwood, in St.Charles, Missouri where she majored in home economics. She loved the school and thrived socially and academically. When she was elected Valentine Queen and had no date for the dance, a blind date was arranged for her. That man, Tom Lange, became her husband in 1952. Jan was interested in interior design and had an artistic eye. A WWII surplus quonset hut was their first home and Jan's first decorating project. She went on to live in and decorate 10 more homes, 5 in the St. Louis area, 2 at the Lake of the Ozarks, 2 in Naples, Florida and 1 in California. Each home reflected her love of art, antiques, furniture (in her blood, she joked) and fabrics. Each also reflected style without ostentation and Jan's desire to create beautiful spaces that she could share. She loved to celebrate all occasions by throwing fabulous parties, not so much to impress but as an expression of love for her family and many friends. Jan was a dedicated mother and wife. Her unconditional love was the air that her children breathed. Jan was a wonderful cook who delighted in new recipes. As young children, Jan introduced us to boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin, as she cooked her way through Julia Childs' Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Jan was always the light in the room, radiating such zest for life with her beauty and style. She was generous with her beautiful smile which had a way of putting people at ease. She never met a stranger and truly possessed a magnetic personality. Jan split her time between St. Louis and La Selva, California for many years before moving permanently to California in 2015, but if you asked her where she was from it was always St. Louis. She loved the Woman's Club, Opera Theatre, Repertory Theatre, Frontenac Plaza, Clayton, the restaurants, and her beloved Church of St. Michael & St. George. Jan was a Dame in the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. A special thanks to Jim Kellogg and Seth Heitzenrater who were instrumental in making Jan's transition one of joy and love. Jan was preceded in death by her Parents, Homer and Onibe Blevins, her Husband Thomas Lange, her son Thomas Lange Jr. and son-in-law Kenneth Coale. She is survived by her daughter Susan Coale, son Steven, grandchildren Megan and Tyler Coale, Tommy and Andrew Lange, and seven great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at the Church of St. Michael & St. George, 6345 Wydown Blvd. Clayton, MO 63105 on August 23rd at 11:00 a.m.