Henry E. “Hank” Stange, 97, of Owatonna, died peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Hank was born on January 21, 1929, to Rudolph Henry Stange, son of a German, Steele Center pioneer immigrant family, and Anna Helena Wiebking who was born in Germany. He attended Roosevelt Elementary and Owatonna High School, class of 1946 leaving prior to graduation. Later in the military, he completed high school and received his diploma from the Territory of Alaska. In 1951, he was awarded credentials from International Detective Training System of Washington DC.

Hank enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 24, 1948. His most humbling experience was while stationed at Camp Stoneman, CA. He was selected team member for Special Duty Honor Guard from January 18 through February 7, 1949. The Honor Guard travelled daily to Oakland Army Base, Military Police Compound to provide military presence while thousands of World War 2 KIA’s were being returned from the Pacific Theater via US Army Transport ships. One team aboard ship draped each casket with a US Flag. When the casket reached the enclosed dock by conveyor, Hank’s team removed the flag and folded it for presentation to next of kin at later military funeral service.

Hank had confessed his belief and trust in Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord according to Scripture recorded in Romans 10:9, 10. While stationed at Ford Hood TX, he and army buddy Tom Ogle spent some weekends with Tim’s family in Weleetka, OK. One of these times, Hank met his future wife, Charlotte Ann Johnson who shared his Christian convictions. When discharged June 16, 1952, Hank stopped in Weleetka for good-byes, and returned to Owatonna. In June 1953, en route for employment in Dallas TX, he stopped in Weleetka, providentially meeting Char on the main street. Plans changed. They married November 6, 1953.

Hank was in farm equipment manufacturing and sales prior to joining Wenger Corp. Owatonna, retiring in 1991. He and Char entered into business in 1995 until they both retired the second time in 2010. US Patent 6769834 and Canada 2272974 were granted for their “Road-Mat USA” Company.

Hank is survived by his daughter, Kari Fairbanks of Owatonna; sister, Yvonne (Richard) Hartsook of Owatonna; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Hank in death was his wife of sixty-three years, Char Stange; two daughters, Ann Louise and Lisa Ann; son, John Henry; parents; brothers, Donald Luverne and Glen Allen Stange.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM, Monday, April 20, 2026, at Christ Community Covenant Church in Owatonna. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. John Cemetery in Owatonna.