WOOSTER – The Rev. Augusta A. (Lucas) Lange died Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, at her home.   She did not die after an extended illness, nor a sudden one.   She died because after 83 years of wear and tear, her body simply gave out.
She was born Jan. 14, 1934 in Bellaire and grew up in Newark, Ohio, She was a 1951 graduate of Newark High School and last year attended her 65th class reunion, during which she commented to her  daughter that she thought all of her classmates looked really old.
Gussie was many things to many people. She was the glue the held the family together, the level head in the face of crisis and the teller (and re-teller and re-teller) of old family tales. She was known to take in stray dogs, cats, the occasional wayward high schooler and fallen away church member. Over the course of her life she was a Lifetime Member of the PTA, a room mother, a speech and drama parent, a band parent, a choir parent, a foster parent, a grocery store owner, a caretaker, a Daily Record correspondent and a concerned and loving pastor to her churches in North Lawrence, East Greenville, Pigeon Run, Kingsville and Wintersville.
She was proud to have been one of the first female pastors to serve in the East Ohio. Conference of the United Methodist Church and secretly enjoyed confounding her district superintendents by pointing out that rules for her had not yet been printed in the Book of Discipline.
More than anything, she was a devoted mother, sister, daughter, niece and friend. And on Sept. 20, 1999, she started on her biggest and most favorite role of all- being Nano  to her grandson, Maxton Lucas Mosser, The two enjoyed many a snack and drive together, even when Gussie got lost (as she often did) and Max had to explain to her how to get home.
When she retired from the ministry, she moved to Wooster to be closer to her daughter, Tamara Ann and son-in-law Jim Mosser, She fell in love with the city, where she marveled at how many people walked their dogs, rode their bikes and went for walks. Gussie made friends with everyone, from the grocery pickup people at Buehler’s, to the guys from ComputerMixx to the people in the waiting rooms of her doctors to the random people she sat next to at the Ohio. Light Opera. And hours before she left this earth, she enjoyed a crème puff from Woosterfest, declaring it the best Bavarian crème she’d ever had.
She was proud of her family, including her baby brother, Jim Kissell of Newark, and his partner Rose VanHorn, her cousin and husband, Sondra and Bill Murray, and all the others she looked after and prayed for over the years. There are too many to count. Mostly, Gussie was a woman who lived simply, loved fiercely and died the way she wanted – simply, quietly, in her own apartment and without any fuss.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Wayne County Humane Society, 1161 Mechanicsburg Rd., Wooster, OH 44691. But mostly, she’d just like it if everyone did a random act of kindness for another, braked for a squirrel or send an actual paper card to a loved one.                                                                                                                                
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 201 N. Market St. in Wooster, with the Rev. Evan Fischer presiding.   The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.   Those attending are asked wear bright colors, bring a story to share and sing along loudly to her favorite hymns.  
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
 

Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Wayne County Humane Society, 1161 Mechanicsburg Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.

Service
Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 201 N. Market St. in Wooster,

Visitation
One hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church