Phyllis A. Lang, 76, Dickinson, died Sunday, November 21, 2010 at her home. A memorial service for Phyllis will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, November 24, 2010, at the Peace Lutheran Church, Dickinson, with Rev. Steven Schou officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Phyllis A. Meske was born to Henry and Clara (Schultz) Meske on May 12, 1934, in Jordan, Mont. Her father was a Lutheran pastor so she lived in several places, with the majority of the time spent in Valley City. Phyllis used to travel with Henry to various churches and played the organ and piano for many church services. She knew the words to most hymns by memory. She graduated from Valley City Public High School in 1952.
While working in Valley City, she met Stanley Lang, who was attending college at Valley City State, and they were married June 21, 1957. They lived in Grand Forks, Pierre, S.D., Vancouver, Wash., and finally moved to Dickinson in 1992 to be closer to family. While in Dickinson, she worked as a volunteer at DHS under RSVP.
Phyllis and Stan lost two children at birth and adopted a daughter, Naomi, in 1962. Naomi passed away in 1992 of complications resulting from diabetes.
Phyllis enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, reading, and caring for her flowers. They also enjoyed traveling and were able to go to Germany, Europe, New Zealand, and the South Seas. Most recently, they traveled to Australia to visit her daughter, Nancy. They also enjoyed spending winter months in Marble Falls, Texas.
She was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church and was very proud to be a Democrat.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Stan; her daughter, Nancy (Ray) Smith, Burnett Heads, Queensland, Australia; two granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; a brother, Marvin (Linda) Meske, Visalia, Calif.; a sister, Marlene (Tom) Miller, Pasadena, Texas; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her children, Michael, Barbara and Naomi; her brother, Mark Meske; her sister, Ardeth Smith; and her parents. The family prefers that memorials be directed to the Peace Lutheran Church.
