Lila L. Lange took it upon herself to educate blind children from a young age so they could take part in regular classes by the time they were 4th graders. Her passion for teaching the blind powered her career for almost 40 years. Mrs. Lange, 93, died Saturday, Dec. 6, of heart failure in her Morton Grove home. She grew up on the South Side before her family moved farther north. She graduated from Lake View High School, said her daughter, Suzanne Kiredjian. She went on to the University of Chicago, and after graduating, headed to Indiana for a short time where she was able to learn techniques for educating the blind. Her special skills helped her secure a job during the Depression. Ms. Lange would teach as many as 10 blind children at a time for several years. She worked with many of her students from the time they were as young as 3. She would mold their education until they were able to keep up with most children their ages in regular schools. Her work shaped many lives. “She loved them all,” her daughter said. “She always was so proud of them.” Even though she stopped teaching almost 30 years ago, she still received letters and heartfelt thanks from former students on a regular basis, her daughter said. “One just came yesterday from a man in California.” In addition to her daughter, survivors include her husband, William; and a son, Allan. A memorial service will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the family’s home at 8300 Gross Point Rd., Morton Grove.
