Search by Name

Search by Name

Elmer Norman Drange

1920 - 2013

Elmer Norman Drange obituary, 1920-2013

BORN

1920

DIED

2013

Elmer Drange Obituary

Elmer Norman Drange passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at the age of 92. He was one of the good guys in this world. A longtime Billings resident, he had resided at St. John's Lutheran Home since December 2008. He and wife, Paulean, made their home on 12th Street West, the center of their activities for friends and family for nearly 60 years.

Elmer was born Sept. 1, 1920 to Scandinavian immigrant parents, Hans Christian and Marie Brigetta Jensen Drange. The family acquired land in Shepherd to establish the Drange farm where nine children were raised. A home, barn, corrals, fences and fields were built by the family and operated as a productive farm. In recent years, driving to Shepherd to see the place and follow the roads that outlined the Drange property gave Elmer a sense of happiness and comfort.

Shepherd school offered education only up through eighth grade and rather than go to Billings to attend high school, Elmer worked with his dad and brothers on the farm, and later at Carter Oil, until joining the U.S. Army Air Corps on June 19, 1942. His Army induction papers listed his occupation as "Farmer with horse team and tractor." He was stationed in England and served in a unit that, among other things, retrieved and rescued downed pilots on the continent. He was proud to have served his country during World War II and displayed a high sense of patriotism throughout his life.

Elmer returned from the war in November 1945 and married his pre-war sweetheart, Paulean Burton, Jan. 3, 1946. They had met when she was 15 and he 19 and their love grew during his absence. She saved his letters and she often reflected on waiting patiently for his return from the Army. They lived a happy married life for 65 years and served as a role model for many because of the obvious love they showed for each other. They will be remembered for frequently holding hands, something that came so naturally to them.

Carter Oil rehired Elmer upon his return from the Army and he, sometimes with Paulean, drove a gas truck around the area and over the Beartooth Pass to Cook City. He attended Billings Business College and had a 38-year career with Farmers Union Central Exchange which became CENEX. His responsibilities included managing rail tank cars and trucks that traveled throughout the U.S. He tracked each one with telephone, paper and pencil, never entering the age of GPS locaters and computers. He retired as CENEX Refinery Distribution Manager in 1984, having commuted from Billings to Laurel for many years. He was well respected as an employee, supervisor and colleague throughout his career.

Elmer was a founding member of Valley Credit Union and took out the first loan to establish this business in 1946. That loan and the washing machine he bought with the borrowed funds formed a story he told kids and grandkids alike. He later served on the Board of Valley Credit Union, reflecting his values and commitment to conservative business practices, ethics and customer service. If you saw him in the later days of his life, he would have been wearing his Valley Credit Union ball cap.

Elmer was one of the early members of American Lutheran Church, where he and Paulean raised their children and welcomed grandchildren to the familiar surroundings of the family church. He was a devoted man and lived his faith by honoring the Lord and loving and serving others. He and Paulean delivered food gathered at the church, to the food bank every Monday morning, for years. Elmer attended Men's Bible Study, built odds and ends for various projects and helped anyone who needed a ride, a hand or something fixed. Church was a part of life for the Drange family and a particular pew in the church was where you could find them most every Sunday.

The Billings Rock and Gem Club provided Elmer with a perfect place to look for, admire and talk about rocks, although he was often more fascinated by the interesting things he found while looking for rocks. He'll wear a hand crafted rock bolo tie at his funeral.

Working in the yard or on nearby family ranches, as well as outdoor activities such as hunting, hiking, fishing and camping were favorite pastimes, especially when shared with friends or family. Driving on a gravel road and stopping to see a herd of deer, a flock of ducks, a flowing stream or a unique rock formation made Elmer's life one of appreciation and wonder. He loved Montana. A parade would always have Elmer and Paulean appreciating each entry. It was best when the red van was full of his kids and grandkids. All were eager to hear him say, "howdy," a word that was his and meant "welcome, sit and I'm glad you are here."

Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Paulean Burton Drange and his siblings, Vera (Sam) Wilhelm, Shalla (Roy) Bru, Gladys Mongrain, Harold (Dorothy), Clarence (Lakota), Helen (Leo) Baker, Raymond (Charlotte) and Clara (Nick) Janich.

Elmer is survived by three children and their families: Terry (Kathy) Drange of Billings and their children, Kari from Shepherd and Tory from Billings; Jaynee (Rolf) Groseth from Bozeman and Billings and their children, Peder (Jess) and Anders, both of Bozeman; and Judy (Jay) Berg of White Sulphur Springs and their children, Eric of Gillette, Wyo. and Anna, Josie and Alissa, all of White Sulphur Springs; sisters-in law, Willena Burton of Seaside, Ore. and Pearl Burton of Mussellshell; and many nieces and nephews from both the Drange and Burton sides of the family.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m. at American Lutheran Church, 5 Lewis Avenue, Billings, MT. A luncheon will be served after the service and interment is scheduled for Mountview Cemetery following the gathering.

Memorials may be made to American Lutheran Church in Billings or to a charity of your choice.

Published by Bozeman Daily Chronicle on Apr. 9, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Elmer Drange

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Jaynee and Rolf-

Sorry to hear of your father's death.

Jim Ness

April 10, 2013

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Elmer Drange's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Elmer Drange

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Elmer's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Elmer Drange's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more