Ralph B. Lang, Jr. (1929-2020)

LANG, HARRISON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/18/2020 at 23:21:52

Ralph B. Lang, Jr., 91, formerly of Maquoketa, Iowa, died peacefully in his sleep Saturday, November 14, 2020, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A private family graveside service and burial celebrating Ralph’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa. There is no public visitation. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.

Ralph was born January 18, 1929, to Ralph Sr. and Beulah Harrison Lang in Maquoketa. He was the youngest and last surviving child of their six children. His older brother, Donn Lang, died in Cedar Rapids earlier this year, just shy of his 101st birthday.

He graduated from Maquoketa High School and served in The Korean War. He later moved to Chicago where he began his career at Wieboldt’s Department Store, retiring as head of its retail display department. For years he coordinated their iconic Easter display window, showcasing baby chickens hatching from eggs in real time.

Ralph loved musical theater and rarely missed a production in Chicago or New York City.

He loved to entertain and will be remembered for his spot-on pantomimes of Carmen Miranda and Al Jolson. He was a founding member of Maquoketa’s Perk-O-Laters musical comedy group. He coordinated and designed many festive family events in Maquoketa for his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. He loved turning birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and graduations into celebratory productions.

After retirement, he traveled extensively and enjoyed cruises and land tours with his group of travel friends. He moved to Cedar Rapids in 2017 to be closer to his brother, Donn, and his family.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Charles, Harriet, Donn, Marion and Pauline. He is survived by his three nephews, Phillip, Michael and Mark Lang and their families in Cedar Rapids, as well as cousins, Sigrid Allen Thomas, Jeff Allen, Karen Barker Garien and their families.

The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family and online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.