Conrad H. Stange

ATHOL- Conrad H. Stange, beloved husband and father, 87, of Athol MA passed away on December 23rd at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester with family members by his side. 

Conrad was born on May 26, 1937 in Warwick MA the son of his late parents Carl G. Sr. and Georgie (Bailey) Stange.  He graduated from Orange High School in 1956. 

On November 29, 1958 Conrad married the love of his life, Jeanette (Laperle) Stange and they enjoyed 66 years together. 

Conrad worked as a machinist at the Union Twist Drill Co. in Athol and later at the L.S. Sawin Co. in Gardner until retiring.  He also served the town of Athol as an on-call fireman with the Athol Fire Department for 30 years.

Though gifted with a broad variety of skills, Conrad was a man of simple pleasures.  He enjoyed gardening, working in his yard or on his home and watching football and baseball.  He coached little league for his boys and he was a faithful fan at all of his kids’ sporting events.  After their practices he would happily drive home anyone who needed a ride and climbed into the back of his truck.  This same attention he lavished on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Conrad was an outdoorsman and spent many years hunting and fishing.   His children all have fond memories of fishing with dad while growing up.  He hunted with his son, Bill, until he was well into his 80s.   He also enjoyed golfing and bowling and participated in many bowling leagues over the years. 

For Conrad, family was his passion, and he loved and served them well.  He leaves his loving wife Jeanette, his children Bill Stange and his wife Terry of Orange, Kelly VanDoren and her husband Arnold of Princeton, Randal Stange and his wife Tina of Orange and Greg Stange and his partner Heather of Valdosta GA.  He leaves his grandchildren Shyla Stange of Orange, Travis Stange and his partner Kathleen of Orange, Lindsey (VanDoren) Corter and her husband Colton of Richmond, VA and Brian VanDoren and his wife Elizabeth of Warwick, NY.  He also leaves great-grandchildren Brooklyn and Rayna Kennedy, Makiya Robinson and Aaliyah Stange, John, Conrad, Thomas, Mary Kate and Julia Corter and Wesley and Quincy VanDoren and several nephews and nieces. 

While all these details are evidence of a life well lived, Conrad’s example and legacy were much more significant than simply that.  Conrad never wavered in his commitment to a marriage that remained unshakable after 66 years and to the family that grew forth from that.  He lived through times of economic and health challenges without complaint.  Never one to have everything he might have wanted, he lived a life of truly selfless service to his family members and friends.  He gifted his skills and encouragement to people he loved in life’s most precious commodity, time.  He demonstrated unusually steadfast contentment regardless of the circumstances.  Though he enjoyed many relationships among family and friends over the years, none were marked with the scars of discord.  Conrad’s quiet but extraordinary character was well noticed by his granddaughter Lindsey and her husband Colton and inspired the naming of their second son.

Besides his parents, Conrad was predeceased by his siblings and their spouses Carl Stange and his wife Shirley, Audrey McKnight and her husband Sheldon, Carolyn Magnuson and her husband Russell and a step brother, Eugene Witham. 

Calling hours will be held on January 4, 2025 from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange. 

A funeral service will follow at 12 noon in the funeral home.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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