Raymond Henry "Ray" Bange

Raymond Henry Bange passed away Thursday, March 7, 2014, at his home in Colby, KS at the age of 76. He was born October 24, 1937 to Joseph Herman and Anna Mary (Schwarz) Bange in Solomon Township, Sheridan County Kansas. Ray attended school in Sheridan County and graduated from Sheridan Community High School with the class of 1955. He was united in marriage to Frances Mae Sander, on May 11, 1963, in Colby. Ray was a hard-working, intelligent, loving man who dedicated himself to the things he believed in. He was a member of Golden Plains School Board for twelve years, member of the Great Western Sugar Company, lifetime member of St. Martins Catholic Church in Sequin, Kansas, a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus member, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Above all, family was the most important thing in Ray’s life, most especially his grandchildren. As a farmer, Ray was very independent, punctual, and straight forward. But he also had a desire to learn from and help others. He was always interested in the latest farming techniques, raising new crops, especially sugar beets, and anticipating the joy of the harvest. For in the harvest, the sowing of the seed, the hard work, and the prayers, all came together. It was indeed his favorite time of year. Ray is survived by his wife, Frances of fifty years; sons, Paul Bange of Colby and Matthew Bange of Salina; daughters, Anna Reese and husband Scott of New Smyrna Beach, FL and Becky Wuerdeman and husband Bob of Independence, KS; brothers Sylvester Bange and wife Rosemary of Colby and Ed Bange of Garden City; sisters, Barb Rietcheck and husband Al of Seguin, Rosella Meitl and husband Walt of Oberlin, and Mildred Hill and husband Dennis of Great Bend; eight grandchildren, Patrick Wuerdeman, Brittany Bange, Skyler Reese, Brooklyn Bange, Alexandra Reese, Brielle Bange, Gavin Bange, and Connor Bange. Ray was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Anna Bange; daughter, Sandra Rae Bange; brother, Vincent Bange and sister, Agnes Bange. To simply say that Ray was a good man would not even come close to describing him. But it is more than he would say about himself. Because to Ray, that is just how life is supposed to be lived. He didn’t just sow seed in the ground, he sowed seed into the lives of the people he knew and loved. Whether volunteering at church, lending a hand to a neighbor, or raising a strong and healthy family, Ray was not just a good man, he was a great man. For the seed he has sown in all of our lives will continue to reap a harvest of love, joy and peace for generations to come. Reception: St. Martin Catholic Church