Debra Jane Lange

November 23, 1951 - March 11, 2019

Princeton – Debra Jane Lange of Princeton, IL passed away Sunday, March 11, 2019 at her home surrounded by family and in the loving embrace of her husband Tom. Deb was born in Princeton, IL on November 23, 1951 to Fred and Jo Ann (Wilson) Gibbs. She was a graduate of Princeton High School, Class of 1969. She married her high school sweetheart, Tommy Lange on January 16, 1971 at the First Methodist Church of Princeton, IL. She worked as a secretary at the Bureau County Courthouse in the TB Clinic and then for Prairie View Nursing home, as a medical secretary, where she retired in 1993. She was born and raised in Princeton and loved her hometown. Deb enjoyed helping her mom and dad at Gibbs Cigar Store. She was a member of the Women of the Moose, a fantastic cook and an amazing baker, sharing her chocolate chip cookies with everyone. She joked with her family and friends about her master skills as a seamstress and quilter. She was a girl’s, girl and loved to shop and socialize. You would never catch her without her accessories and bangles and always looking her finest. Her favorite place was on Table Rock Lake, in Branson, MO, spending time boating, fishing and “floating” with family and friends. You could find her and her love on Mondays at Park Tavern, Thursdays at Spoons, or socializing with everyone from their front porch on Euclid Avenue. Deb loved Tom, her girls, grandchildren and family, but most of all, she loved life. She always had a smile or a funny story to share and she will be missed by everyone who ever met her. Deb is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Tom Lange of Princeton, IL, her mother, Jo Ann Gibbs of Princeton, IL, her two daughters, Nicole (Chad) Hamel of Normal, IL and Danielle (Paul) Ekstam of Pekin, IL; two granddaughters, Brianna Hamel and Isabel Ekstam; three grandsons, Chase Hamel, Cole Hamel and Liam Ekstam; and a very special cousin, Nancy Evans of Cortez, CO. She is preceded in death by her father, Fred Gibbs (2005). A visitation for Deb will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Norberg Memorial Home, Princeton, IL from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Services will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Norberg Memorial Home at 12:30 p.m. officiated by Pastor Mike Slutz and Pastor Kirk Stevens, followed by a graveside service at Oakland Cemetery, Princeton, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Peoria OSF St. Jude Hospital or a donation of your choice in Debs name. Online condolences can be left at www.norbergfh.com Arrangements by Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. Princeton, IL.