Debra Kay (Kuhn) Lange
Debra Kay (Kuhn) Lange, age 54 of Addieville, IL passed away on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN of complications following her heart and liver transplant. She was born in Lincoln, NE on August 17th, 1967, the daughter of Don and Mary (Langemeier) Kuhn. The abnormalities that affected the way her heart pumped did not change her ability to love the many family members, friends and students she impacted in her 50 plus years on earth.
Growing up in Lincoln, NE, Deb attended Zeman Elementary, Pound Middle School, and Lincoln Southeast High School. She furthered her education at Concordia Lutheran Teachers College in Seward, NE and the University of Nebraska where received her teaching degree. Upon graduation, she moved to Nashville, IL and began teaching at Trinity St. John Lutheran School. It was there that she met the love of her life, Terry Lange. They married on February 11th, 1995 and settled in Addieville, IL.
With three sisters and two brothers, Deb grew up in a busy household with plenty of chores and gardening duties. She participated in 4-H and loved to ride horses. Her love for animals continued as she cared for many dogs and cats during her time in Illinois.
Deb created strong bonds with many young people. Though her heart condition prevented her from having children, she had many nieces, nephews, and children of friends whom she loved as if they were her own, serving as godmother to many. Summer stays at the house with her and Terry were cherished times. Always showing her love and support, Deb would often be there to cheer on you and your team. During her long career of almost 30 years at Trinity St. John Lutheran School, she taught and mentored hundreds of students, sometimes even teaching the children of former students. When Covid kept her from classroom participation, she served as the school yearbook advisor and technology coordinator.
Deb was a bright light to everyone she met, even when her medical conditions would have been overwhelming to most. She was a courageous fighter and an advocate for herself and others. She valued and treasured her family and friends and throughout her life made great efforts to assure that those connections did not fade. She loved playing cards and was always ready to start a card game either in person or online. She will be greatly missed.
Deb was an ongoing advocate for the Adult Congenital Heart Association and participated in many events and fundraisers for the group. She also had a great love and connection with her “Zipper Sisters” who could really relate to her condition. Deb dedicated a great amount of time to bringing awareness to congenital heart disease and organ and tissue donation.
Deb is preceded in death by her sister, Renee Kuhn, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Harlen and Wilma Lange. Remaining to mourn are her husband, Terry Lange, Addieville, IL, parents Don and Mary Kuhn, Lincoln, NE, brother Mike (Julie) Kuhn, Westminster, CO, sister Pam (Dave) Church, Grain Valley, MO, brother Tim Kuhn, Scottsdale, AZ, brother-in-law Scott Hochhalter, Littleton, CO, sister Deanna (Greg) Hand, Omaha, NE, brother-in-law Mark (Myra) Lange, St Peter, MO, sister-in-law Lana (Jason) Peters, Tupelo, MS, brother-in-law Scott (Sarah) Lange, Centralia, IL and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, New Minden, IL Monday, May 23rd, 2022 from 4:00-8:00pm.
Funeral was held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, New Minden, IL Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 at 10:00am with interment to follow in the parish cemetery. Lunch followed at St John’s Lutheran Church basement.
Styninger Funeral Home in Nashville, IL is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden or to the Adult Congenital Heart Association where a memorial page is being created in Deb’s honor. A link to the page will be updated at a later date. Also, if you are able, please consider donating blood or registering as an organ/tissue donor as a tribute to Deb.
