Harley Emmit DeLange

Harley Emmit DeLange, 93, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2009, at the home of his daughter, Helen LaVerne Henman in Billings. He was born in Tower City, N.D., Sept. 24, 1915, to Simeon DeLange and Janjie (Jenny) Swart DeLange. The DeLange family tree has been traced back to 1770 to the Tonnis Kaspars DeLange family in Holland. His parents were both born in Holland and came to America when they were children. Harley lived the early years in North and South Dakota where all the family from Holland had immigrated. When he was about 10, his parents homesteaded at Saugus, Mont.

Harley's brother, Clarence and their dad rode FREE from Tower City to Saugus in the caboose of the train. Two older brothers drove the 1924 Star touring car and the rest of the family across the old Yellowstone Trail to Terry. It took them five days to cross the Trail. From Terry, Harley and 2 sisters took the train to Saugus. A family friend picked them up at the Saugus train station to take them to the homestead in a Model-T Coupe.They went by way of Sheep Mountain and down Custer Creek. He finished the eighth grade at Saugus. In 1934, the family moved to the Yellowstone Valley about five miles north and east of Miles City where he met his future wife Helen Bard. They married in June of l936 and celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary June 23, 2009. Before his marriage he worked in the CCC Camp south of Ashland, and worked for the Forest Service in the Beartooth Range Camp, and after his marriage he worked at Fort Peck. Cooking was his duty at each place of employment. Later he became an apprentice in the ice cream and butter industry at the Custer County Creamery and spent part of WWII in Wolf Point where he worked at the Wolf Point Dairy. In 1943, he moved his wife and family back to Miles City where he spent many years working for Henry Schulte at the Purity Dairies. This good experience led him to accept an offer from the Montana State Dairy Division to be one of the field men, traveling the Great Falls, Billings and Bozeman areas. After taking some special correspondent courses he passed the State Sanitarian examinations and received his Registered Sanitarian Certificate. He worked for the state for several years. Before retiring to Terry, Dad and Mom managed the 4D Egg Ranch in Hardin. Dad was full of laughter and fun.He fancied himself as a jack -of-all- trades and an inventor. He built two homes in Miles City for his family. He especially treasured the times he spent with his brothers and sisters at Fort Keogh. Old time stories and politics were frequently the topic of discussion and DEBATE. He loved fishing and outdoor wildlife and frequently took the family camping in the wilderness or to the cabin at Martinsdale. It was a wonderful time for our family and made life-long treasured memories for us. He was also a passionate rock hound and spend many hours digging through the sapphire mines north of Lewistown. He and his wife Helen were very proud of the sapphire finds that were faceted into gems or into rings for his wife, daughters and granddaughters. In his retirement years he took up oil painting and was very good at painting wildlife. He is survived by his wife Helen; his two daughters, Helen LaVerne Henman of Billings, Ardelle Jurica (Dennis) of Spokane, Wash. and his son Bill DeLange of Midland, Texas; 11 grandchildren;13 great grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; siblings, Ida, Kaspar, William (Bill), Leona (Tootie), Lester, Clarence, Ardell and grandsons Patrick DeLange (infant) and Eric Henman. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. At his request, he was cremated and a service will be scheduled when his wife joins him. If desired, memorials are suggested in Harley's name to Rocky Mountain Hospice in Billings. This organization gave comfort and loving care to Harley and the whole family during this difficult time. Internment will follow in Miles City at a later date. Dad was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. The influence he had on his children and grandchildren are life enriching and eternal. He loved the Lord and for years served Him well at the First Baptist Church in Miles City. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Moose in Miles City and the Gidions Society which he helped distribute Bibles. We bid him good journey and joyous reunion with all his loved ones that have gone before him who will meet him on the other side.