Faryl Lange

Faryl Marlene McDill Lange was born on Sept. 19, 1932, northwest of

Mankato, Kan., to Raymond Alma McDill and Ruth May Underwood McDill.

She died Feb. 20, at the Jewell County Hospital ISB, Mankato, at the age of 89 years. Faryl was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Paul Lange on Dec. 12, 2021; parents, grandparents; grandson Christopher Alyn Railsback; and sister-in-law, Eilene McDill.

Faryl attended school in Mankato except for her third and fourth grades at Enterprise District 26 in Limestone Township. She graduated from Mankato High school in May of 1950 as valedictorian of her class. After graduation, she began work as the secretary at the Mankato School District Superintendent’s Office for two years. She then worked at the Jewell-Mitchell REC. In the early 1950s, Faryl joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato, Kan. She married Raymond Paul Lange on April 23, 1955, at the church. In 1958, Faryl began her years as a stay-at-home mother. She performed babysitting duties for several

children during those years. In 1971 she returned to work at Jewell-Mitchell REC and worked there until her retirement in 1994.

During her youth, she helped look after her brothers. She helped with milking cows and feeding the turkeys. She was a member of the Mankato Eager Beavers 4-H Club and had projects at the county and state fairs. She continued to be involved in later years by serving as a superintendent at the fair and taking items to display. She attended many 4-H events for her grandchildren and served as Chelsey’s clothing construction project leader. She took piano lessons from Berniece Scott and encouraged her daughters to take piano lessons. Faryl spent many days suggesting ideas for play activities, listening to piano songs and teaching the girls about sewing. She welcomed her father-in-law Paul Lange to live with the family for three years.

Faryl was interested in family genealogy and began researching her family history in the late 1960s. She traced her mother’s ancestry to a Revolutionary solider, Nathan Wood, and with proven records was able to join the Desire Tobey Sears Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on Oct. 13, 1972. She served in many positions of the chapter and the Northwest District including 11 years as chapter regent. She was the secretary-treasurer of the

Cole-Lumpkin-Underwood Reunion which started in 1932 and continues today. She attended many of these picnics over the last 89 years and was always interested in adding to the record books. She continued to explore other family lines and Jewell County history throughout her life. With her death, a wealth of knowledge about the area is gone.

Faryl was active in her community. She served as the county recruitment chairman of the Jewell County Bloodmobile, member and officer of Modern Minerva, volunteered at the Jewell County Long-Term Care for bingo and organized programs for Tuesday Happenings, and volunteered at the Thrift Shop to name just a few of her volunteer services. She was president of the Mankato High School Alumni Association, a Girl Scout leader, member of the Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary 7830 and served in many capacities including president and treasurer, member of the Mankato Garden Club, the Jewell County Historical Society, and the Jewell American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her daughters, Corlene Lange, Barbara Railsback and

Janelle Greene; sons-in-law, Burton Railsback and Scott Greene; grandchildren, Matt Railsback and wife Allison, Chelsey Greene, Corbin Greene and Allison Railsback; great- grandchildren, Sawyer Railsback and Savannah Railsback; brothers, Marvin McDill and Mahlon McDill; sister-in-law, Phyllis Lange; nephews, Richard Sholtz, Mike Metzler and Landon McDill; niece, Nickia McDill Vance; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and many cousins.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, at Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato, with Pastor Dennis Beckmann officiating and Irene Ortman, musician. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, at Melby Mortuary, Mankato, with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Casket bearers will be her grandchildren Corbin Greene, Matthew Railsback, Chelsey Greene and Allison Railsback, niece Nickia Vance, and nephews Richard Sholtz, Mike Metzler and Landon McDill.

The family suggests memorials to Mankato Endowment Association or Jewell County VFW Auxiliary 7830 in care of the funeral home.

Melby Mortuary of Mankato is assisting the Lange family with these arrangements, for online condolences, please visit http://www.melbymortuary.com.