Reatha Lange

Reatha Louise Morgan Lange, formerly of Mountain Home, died at Lakewood, Colo., on Dec. 14, 2012.

She was born at Hoxie, Kan., on March 17, 1925, the youngest of five surviving children of Alexander William Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Rich. She grew up in eastern Colorado.

Reatha married Leo Louis Lange on April 15, 1945, at Vona, Colo.

For many years, she was a kindergarten teacher and program administrator at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

She began her educational career in a one-room, country school after earning her wartime teacher's permit.

Other work experience included employment at Children's Hospital in Denver.

Reatha and Leo were nationally recognized round dance teachers, their early efforts focusing on youth dance groups at the Air Force base. They helped found the "Sagebrush Shufflers" (square and round dance group) in Mountain Home, and the "Kings and Queens" and the "Struttin' Arounders" (round dance group) in Boise.

Reatha made many friends over the years through her dance activities.

She and Leo traveled widely, sharing their expertise with young and old alike.

She is survived by her husband, Leo Lange, and sons Jerry (Cecelia) of Arvada, Colo., and Wallee (Nancie) of Hailey, Idaho, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.