Michael K. Lange

Michael K. Lange passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on April 10, 2020, after a courageous battle with leukemia. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann, of 50 years; his children, Michael (fiancé, Sherry Martinovich) Lange II and Lisa (Christopher) Butschke; grandchildren, Rachel Lange, Megan Lange, Michael Lange III, Madeline Butschke; his brother, John Lange; sister-in-law, Barbara Lange; brother-in-law, Lee Holle; all his loving BSI’s: William (Patsy) Marish, Edith Nowicki, Edna Matzelle, Helen (Jim) Cramer, Wilma (Patrick) Quinn, Carl (Judy) Marish, Catherine (Thomas) Hebert, Joanne (Paul) Jamrozy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Thomas William Lange; grandson, Jacob Charles Butschke; parents, Albert “Chuck” and Nancy (Mueller) Lange II; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William & Mary Ann (Psutka) Marish; brother, Albert “Kip” Lange III; sister, Christine (Lange) Holle; brother-in-law, John Nowicki II; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ronald & Kathleen (Staffeldt) Marish; and nephews, John Nowicki III and James Cramer II; and great nephew Skip Lanigan. Mike graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1965 and went on to get a business degree from UW-Whitewater. He joined the National Guard and proudly served 4 years. He married Mary Ann on June 21, 1969 and raised two wonderful children. Mike worked alongside his parents in the family business, Lange Enterprises, for almost 30 years. Together Mike and Mary Ann continued the successful 2nd generation small business until their retirement in December 2001. To his Grandchildren he was lovingly known as “Punka” and he was so proud of each of them. Family was most important to him and he loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren at their property in Three Lakes, WI. Being on the lake boating in his wood 1965 Dunphy that he had completely restored, pontooning and teaching his grandchildren to water ski and fish is what he loved most. Also spending time with them in Port Richey, FL at their condo. Mike was a private pilot for many years and enjoyed flying his Beechcraft Bonanza. He loved taking his 1970 Corvette, 1972 Corvette or 1965 Gransport to collector car shows. Mike loved to golf, especially with all his friends in Wisconsin and Florida. Mike was very generous in the community, whether it was helping with transporting food panty collections, being a Kiwanian for many years or keeping the boardwalk in Florida pristine. Mike was always there to lend a helping hand. A Celebration of Michael's Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Dr. Martin Luther Church in Oconomowoc. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jacob Butschke Scholarship Fund (for the music and theatre enrichment of students), Oconomowoc Food Pantry or Lake Area Free Clinic.