Vincent F. Lange

Vincent F. Lange of Sioux Falls, South Dakota,  passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Legends on Lake Lorraine Senior Living, surrounded by his family.  He was 99 years old. 

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 10 am on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, with family present at 9 am. There will be a luncheon following the service and an interment of ashes at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls.  

Vincent Ferdinand Lange was born in Curry, MN, on October 11, 1925, to Fred Lange and Ella (Voss) Lange at their farmhouse. He joined an older sister, Evelyn, and a brother, John. The family lived there until Vince was three years old, when they moved to a farm near Osseo, MN. A few years later, the family moved closer to home and began farming near Russell, MN.  In 1940, they moved to their own farm near Balaton, MN, where Vince resided for the rest of his life.  He attended country schools in the area until the 8th grade, at which time he began helping his father farm the land.  He attended catechism classes and was confirmed a member at Sillerud Lutheran Church near their farm.  The family then began attending Grace Lutheran Church in Russell.  

At age 20, his father passed away from cancer, and Vince began his lifelong career of farming the family land and taking care of his mother, Ella.  They lived together in the farmhouse there until his mother passed away in 1974.  They spent holidays and Sunday afternoons with family members near Slayton, MN, and had many happy times together.  

Vince also enjoyed spending a few winters in Texas traveling with friends.  

In 1975, he met and married Arlene Mary (Reichmuth) Buckmaster from Chokio, MN. Arlene’s sister, Marlys, introduced them at a family Fourth of July gathering nearby, and they began dating.  He was 50 years old and had always been a bachelor, taking care of his family farm and his mother.  But, on April 26th, 1975, he and Arlene were married in Chokio, and he became a loving husband and father to three young children. They traveled to Alexandria, MN, for their honeymoon in a spring blizzard.  After their honeymoon, Vince arrived in Chokio in a grain truck to haul Arlene and her three children and household belongings to his farm near Russell.

Vince and Arlene had many happy days together and were married for 49 wonderful years! They farmed together until Vince retired from farming in 1990.  They began spending winters in Weslaco, TX, and spent many good winters there with friends doing fun activities.  In retirement, they also enjoyed working for 8 years in the South Dakota State Park System, spending most of their summers working in Custer State Park.  They continued wintering in Texas for many years.  They loved square-dancing together and made many friends traveling to square-dances.  They also enjoyed traveling and were able to visit many countries around the world. 

Faith was always an important part of Vince’s life, and they appreciated their church communities and friends in Russell, MN, Weslaco, TX, and Sioux Falls, SD, at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. 

In 1999, Vince and Arlene moved to Sioux Falls to be near their daughter and her family.  In 2019, the couple moved to Legends on Lake Lorraine Senior Living Center, where they resided until Vince’s passing.

Grateful for sharing his life are his two sons, Scott Buckmaster and Bradley Buckmaster, and his daughter, Kristin Snyder (Craig); six grandchildren - Colbie, Jordyn, Ammon (Lisa), Elizabeth (Gabe Messler), Jonah (Alison) and Benjamin and nine great-grandchildren - Gauge, Stella, Scarlett, Lilyjana, Jude, Carolyn, Lucy, Sylvia and Ivy. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene, his parents, and his sister and brother.