Louise L. Lang

Jane L. “Louise” Lang, age 89, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully early Monday morning, February 9, 2009, following an extended illness. A well-known local musician and soloist, Louise taught scores of musicians in her more than seventy years in music education. Although she considered herself semi-retired, she continued to offer private lessons until recently. Born at Toledo, Ohio, September 24, 1919, she was a daughter of the late Charles Foster and Laura Jean Goode Houck. Louise was a 1937 graduate of Lakewood High School. She went on to attend Baldwin-Wallace College graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music and music education. At the age of 13, Louise began to play the Cello. For more than 20 years, she taught string music at Mansfield High School. During that time, she also averaged nearly fifty private lessons each week. Aside from her music education career at Mansfield, Louise always said the highlight of her career was teaching string music in the Dover Schools under Mr. Hawk and former Superintendent Emmet Riley. Within three years of her affiliating with the music department at Dover schools, Louise had grown an all-string orchestra with more than 90 performers. Louise was active in the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, the Dennison University Symphony, the Canton Symphony, the Akron Symphony, the Mansfield Symphony, the Wheeling Symphony, and many, many occasional live shows and music events. Mrs. Lang also volunteered her musical talents for special events, including the Warther Christmas Tree Festival, for the benefit of the Union Hospital Auxiliary. On March 28, 1942, Louise married Kenneth J. Lang. He preceded Louise in death following fifty-two years of marriage on November 11, 1994. Survivors include a son; Dr. Kenneth C. Lang and wife Susan Ferre of Gorham, New Hampshire and a grandson Carl. Many former students and fellow musicians mourn her passing. Friends are invited to call Wednesday, February 11, 2009 from 4PM â?? 6PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Richard Greenwood will lead a service celebrating Louise’s life Thursday afternoon at 1:30 PM in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow, alongside her husband, in East Avenue Cemetery. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences by visiting the funeral home’s website. At Louise’s request, memorial contributions should be made to the American Red Cross, 1451 Fourth Street NW, New Philadelphia, Ohio, 44663, for the benefit of domestic disaster relief