John Lang

John Paul Lang, "Bud," 92, joined his Heavenly Father April 22, 2019.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, at McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N. Sixth St., Bismarck, with the Rev. Darrel Aleson officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7 p.m.

John Paul Lang was born July 12, 1926, son of Paul and Clara (Reddy) Lang. Bud was the third of seven children, of which Corrine Hasson is still living. John was raised and educated in Sterling.

On Oct. 22, 1948, John married Viola Schumaker in Steele. John enjoyed 44 years of marriage to Viola until her passing in March 1993. John and Viola attended Sterling United Methodist Church, as church was a very important part of their life.

Throughout their life's adventures, they raised 14 children on a farm east of Sterling, which was not an easy task in those days. Farming was in his blood from the time he was young until his retirement in 2007. Throughout all this, he taught his children a strong work ethic and had many hands to help keep this farm going. Upon retirement, he moved to Bismarck to be closer to his children.

Family was very important to John and Viola. Their generosity was shared with open arms by taking in additional children, adding additional faces around the family table.

John also had the love for baseball and basketball and thoroughly enjoyed watching his boys play in these sports. After all, with so many boys, he had his own team.

John is survived by six sons, Dennis (Marcia), Larry (Neva), Dwight, Ross (Bonnie), Brad, and Jeremy (Brandie), all of Bismarck; six daughters, Diana Welk, Terrie (Louis) Bottigliere (also known as Mayhew), Pamela (Curt) Wagner, Stacy (Brian) Stockert, all of Bismarck, and Carol (Roger) Lewis, New Mexico, and Karla (Gary) Lonning, Minot. In addition, he leaves behind 34 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; along with two special daughters-in-law, Wendy Lang and Jan Lang; and his sister, Corrine Hasson.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Viola; his son, John Jr.; daughter, Shannon; four sisters, Pauline, Maxine, Verna and Marilyn; and one brother, Paul.

We would like to include a special thank-you to all the staff at St. Gabriel's Care Center, who took such wonderful care of "Bud." He truly loved so many of you.

Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society, Sterling United Methodist Church, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of John and sign the online guest book.