Edith (Edy) Lange Obituary (1923 - 2023)

Edith (Edy) Lange, age 100, passed away on July 20, 2023, in Carlsbad, California. She is preceded in death by her husband, Rolf Lange; and granddaughter, Dana Kleinsteuber. She is survived by her five children, Steve (Cheryl) Lange, Rosie Jacobson, Frank (Hana) Lange, Linda (David) Woessner, and Esther Goya; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Edy was born Edith Sonnenschein in Vienna, Austria on February 19, 1923. Edy was 13 when her life changed dramatically, as anti-Jewish fervor increased and the Nazis eventually marched in. Escape to the United States was still possible in 1938, provided one could find a sponsor, so Edy and her father Josef Sonnenschein, devised a plan. They wrote requests for sponsorship to the mayors of 20 cities in the US. The family’s prayers were answered in the form of sponsorship through Temple Israel Synagogue in Minneapolis. In March 1939, at the age of 16, Edy arrived in the U. S. penniless on the Queen Mary with her stepmother, Olga and father, Josef, while her brother, Kurt escaped separately. Her first jobs in Minneapolis were using her skills as a talented seamstress for department stores such as Young-Quinlan and Dayton’s. She also worked as a translator and German language teacher for the war effort. Within a few years, Edy met and married Sam Marsh, a Navy pilot. When Sam was shot down over the Pacific during WWII, Edy became a young widow. Not long after, Edy met Rolf Lange, a widower with two young children. Soon they were married and together began Lange’s Furniture. After many successful years, they sold the business and retired to Florida. Upon Rolf’s passing, Edy moved to southern California and began a new life volunteering at the Navy Hospital, winning trophies in ballroom dance competitions, playing piano, enjoying classical music, opera and travelling. Additionally, Edy was also a very talented artist and accomplished Bridge player. Edy had a full and fulfilling life well into her 90s. Edy lived independently at La Costa Glen in Carlsbad, California through her final days passing away peacefully. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Temple Israel or to the donor’s favorite charity. Graveside service at 10:30 am, MONDAY, July 24th, TEMPLE ISRAEL MEMORIAL PARK, 4200 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 am, MONDAY, July 24th, TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Ave. S., Minneapolis, with a luncheon to follow the memorial service. The graveside service and memorial service are also available via Zoom at: www.hodroffs.com/EdithLange