Marvin D. “Spank” Lang        1933 - 2020

HAYS — Marvin D. “Spank” Lang, 86, Hays, died Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at his home.

He was born Aug. 25, 1933 in Hoisington, the son of Robert and Anna (Reif) Lang. On Dec. 27, 1958 he was united in marriage to Sue Tholen in Vincent, and they celebrated 61 years of marriage. He was a graduate of Hoisington High School, served in the United States Army, and was an oilfield roustabout and pumper.  

His memberships included St. Joseph Catholic Church and Commander of Hays American Legion Post #173. He coached his sons’ baseball teams, represented the American Legion at state baseball games, loved sports, and was a great dad and grandpa who loved his family.

Survivors include his wife Sue of the home; four daughters, Marva Willhoft and husband Joel, and Joyce Mattison and husband Andy, all of Hays, Sharon Szurpicki and husband Paul and Jodie Kerr and husband Rusty, all of Wichita; two sons, Gary Lang and wife Cristina and Larry Lang and wife Lori, all of Charlotte, N.C.; 18 grandchildren, Brent Mattison and wife Coley, Brad Mattison and wife Megan, Brady Mattison and wife Paula, Lindsay Mattison, Tanner Willhoft, Molly Paul and husband Gage, Jared Willhoft, Ben Szurpicki, Kate Szurpicki, Kyle Szurpicki, Alyssa Kerr, Brandon Kerr, Jack Kerr, Katherine Lang, Anna Lang, Kalie Schmitt and husband Tyler, Brett Lang, and Addison Lang; and three great grandchildren, Dylan, Adley, and Coraline. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Al, Bill, Gus, Ernie, and Vernon Lang; and three sisters, Elfreida Woydziak, Viola Weber, and Susanna Redetzke.

A memorial mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church at a later date. Private family burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Hays High School Baseball or HaysMed Foundation in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays. Condolences and memories of Spank may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home 

1906 Pine Street 

Hays, KS  67601

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 10, 2020