Outhouses to Computers
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Dad stopped the car in front of the front steps so I could get out to inquire if this was the home of Mrs. Smith. A short fat puffy-faced woman came to the door and opened it, but talked through the screen door. She did not open it. She confirmed that she was Mrs. George D. Smith, with a heavy accent on the D. She asked if I might be Pearle. I assured her that it was I, so she invited me to come in. I went back to the car for my bag, told the folks good-by and headed up the steps to go into that house, wondering all the time what in the world I was getting into. As I ascended the steps, the little fat lady unlocked the screen door, opened it enough for me to enter, and then she closed it and locked it immediately behind me. No effort was made to meet my parents; she didn’t even invite them in. Only one other time in my life could I remember having been so terrified.
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About the Book
Pearle (Hopkins) Lange is a remarkable lady who has had a surprising variety of experiences. Her autobiography, which began as a collection of memories for her two sons, reaches far beyond a family’s history. Its pages give an insight to life in rural Illinois from the 1920s to the present. You will see Lange as the oldest of three farm children during the Great Depression, as a one-room country-school student, as a graduate from Walnut High School in Bureau County, as a Eureka College student during WWII, as a teacher in country schools, as a farmer’s wife helping in the fields, as the mother of two active boys, as a devoted daughter and sister, as a traveler, and as a pastor of the Walnut First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Her sense of humor, sensitivity, leadership, and strength of purpose permeate Lange’s pages as she acquaints you with the stories of some of the many people whole lives she touched or whose lives touched hers. Although she confesses that some of the dates and places may not be precise, she tells her story as she recalls it. Cry with her, laugh with her, and experience with her the many things that have earned her the affectionate identification in her community as Pastor Pearle. In 1999 the Walnut Community Chamber of Commerce honored Pearle Lange for her service by adding her name to its Hall of Fame. Judy Bolz
About the Author
Pearle and I have been friends since we met in Sunday school as small children, but we became close friends when she became pastor of our church and asked me to be the song leader. She and Don were always there when my world fell apart. She kept me singing when I longed to be mute in my grief. She and Don are my props and my best friends. Caryl Hurst * * * Pearle and I have been friends for many years – from Friday evenings spent at the laundromat about forty years ago during our teaching days to present-day times when she hired me to be the organist at the Christian Church. You as the minister, Caryl as the music minister, and I became like a three-legged stool – we worked as a team and felt we worked well together. Her ministry had love and understanding in it; she gave sermons that were memorable and could be used in our daily lives. The church attendance slowly grew and grew as a result. From the balcony at the back of the church where the organ was located, I knew where each family would be sitting every Sunday – and they were there faithfully. The warmth of her ministry spread through the congregation making it a "family circle" of church members. I wish to say "Thanks, Pearle," for six great years of pleasant times that we shared during her ministry – and as a friend over many years. I looked forward to our Friday afternoon chats in her office after I’d finish practicing. Hearing the alarm clock on Sunday mornings was not an annoying thing as it sometimes was during the other five days of the week. It actually was a pleasure to get out of bed, to get ready, to do a final practice at home of the chosen music for the service that day and to be at the church ready to do my best for the opening fifteen minute prelude for the 9:30 a.m. service. She has certainly made every moment of her life productive as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, a one-room-school teacher, and finally as a pastor in the pulpit. The rewards of each of these roles made many friendships and memories along the way, I’m sure. But, she knew her calling as a pastor long ago – I’m so happy that she had the opportunity to answer it. It truly was a gift from God that she shared so well with so many people. Thank you, Pearle. Judy Andersen (Pearle’s Lutheran friend)