Ethel Victoria Stange's Obituary
MAJOR ETHEL V. STANGE
SEPTEMBER 29, 1926 – March 31, 2018
“Oh that will be Glory for me
Glory for me, Glory for me,
When by His Grace I shall look on His face,
That will be Glory, Be Glory for me”…….
Major Ethel Victoria (Bailey) Stange was promoted to glory on Saturday, March 31, 2018, from Palm Harbor, Florida. Ethel was born September 29, 1926 in Vancouver, BC, Canada, the third of five children born to Salvation Army Majors Frederick and Lillie Bailey. At the age of two, her family immigrated to the United States and served for a short time in the Salvation Army USA Western Territory (Spokane, WA and Billings, MT). The Bailey family soon transferred into the USA Central Territory and the Bailey’s served in the Iowa Division and Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division.
Ethel’s best memories of childhood were found in recalling places like Davenport, Marshalltown and Mason City, Iowa. She found salvation as a child at her mother’s knee. As a young girl Ethel was an outstanding musician and achieved many awards at Salvation Army divisional camps and in high school music competitions.
In her senior year of high school the Bailey family moved to Appleton, WI where Ethel was invited to play in the Wisconsin Divisional Ensemble. The family again moved to Milwaukee, WI and Ethel was employed by an insurance company. It was at a music rehearsal that she was introduced to Kenneth Stange, a Green Bay, WI WWII veteran, who had settled in Milwaukee and was attending Marquette University. They were married September 12, 1946. Three days later they answered God’s call to enter Salvation Army ministry as cadets of the Warriors Session in Chicago, IL and were commissioned and ordained in June, 1947.
Together, the Stanges served in two Upper Michigan corps appointments, Calumet and Ironwood (1947-1948) then they were assigned to the Eastern Michigan Division where they served in four corps appointments from 1948-1961: Detroit 14th Street, Detroit Brightmoor, Royal Oak, and Port Huron. At the age of 30 she joined the Royal Oak, Michigan Girl Guard Troop and earned a General’s Guard award. Ethel was always a faithful bandsman and songster and loved leading the Home League. The Stanges served a one year appointment in the Central Territory Northern Division as Divisional Youth Leaders, followed by a return to Eastern Michigan to serve at the Detroit Harbor Light. It was the Harbor Light appointment that brought them the greatest joy as they saw many lives redeemed for the kingdom through the transforming power of God!
In later years the Stanges would serve in DHQ appointments in Detroit and Minneapolis. After 39 years of Salvation Army ministry they retired in 1986 from their last appointment as directors of the USA Central THQ Community Relations Department. Through Salvation Army officer-ship many life-long friendships were made and memories of joyful service were experienced.
In retirement, Ethel served for 32 years as a faithful soldier, bandsman, songster, string band member, Home League and League of Mercy member in the Clearwater, Florida Corps. She gave loving care to her mother Senior Major Lillie Bailey until her promotion to glory. Ethel participated in worship leadership at Bellaire Towers. Ethel’s final years found her a resident of Regal Palms and Cypress Palms.
Ethel and Ken shared 61 years of devoted marriage together. They had four children: daughter Colonel Susan (Colonel William) Harfoot, and three sons, Stephen (Barbara/deceased) Stange, John (Cindy) Stange, and Kenneth Jeffery (Karen) Stange. Ethel had 6 grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Ethel was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth in April of 2008, her sister Evelyn (Bailey) Nelson, sister Lillian (Bailey) Krause, and her parents Majors Frederick and Lillie Bailey. Ethel is mourned by four children and siblings: Major Frederick (Bodil) Bailey (Clearwater, Florida), and Mrs. Shirley Smith (Clearwater, Florida).
Condolences may be sent to:
Lt. Colonel Susan Harfoot Stephen Stange John Stange Jeff Stange
2229 Americus Blvd W #15 8 Jasmine Drive 16286 Erin Street 1008 61st St. SE
Clearwater, Florida 33763 Crawfordville, FLA 32327 Fraser, MI 48026 Kentwood, MI
49508
Brother Major Fred Bailey Sister Shirley (Bailey) Smith
2298 Americus Blvd. #2 Mease Manor Apartment 731
Clearwater, FLA 33763 700 Mease Plaza
Dunedin, Florida 33755
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