Family Wood Working

Today's Hall of Fame Honoree: Walt Lange

Walt Lange is a longtime exhibitor at the Winona County Fair, and likely has the record for the most unusual woodworking exhibit in fair history: a coffin.

“The judge said that in his 45 years as a fair judge he had never seen a coffin in a woodworking class. … The fair folks told me it was the talk of the fair that year — and oh, yes, I am going to use it someday,” said Lange.

Lange and his wife Genevieve have a long history in the St. Charles community, raising their 11 children here and also buying and running a tire shop. A native of North Dakota, Lange moved to Winona with his family at 2. He attended Cotter High School, and it was while living in Winona that he met his future wife, a union that has lasted 64 years.

Between 1943 and 1947, Lange served his country as a 2nd Class Petty Officer in the Navy. Lange described his Navy job as a radar man on a Navy Carrier for CIC (Combat Information Center) during WWII and after.

“I think I saw every island in the Pacific during the war, and after the war we shipped through the Panama Canal, and went to places like France, England, Algeria, Malta and Greece. … I enjoyed seeing the world,” he said.

After the war, Lange headed to Montana to work as a machinist on the Great Northern Railroad for three years, and then came the opportunity to buy the tire shop, and thus Lange Tire became a presence in the business community in St. Charles from 1952 to 1972. The whole family was involved. The children helped in the shop when they could, and wife Genevieve kept the books.

The Langes had 11 children, one of whom died in an accident, and the family also includes 28 grandchildren and about 35-37 great grandchildren. Lange jokes it is hard to keep count on the latter since there are more on the way. Ever the Navy man, Lange also quipped that he and his wife had to run a pretty “tight ship” when raising all those children.

When Lange left the tire business he did some insurance sales and also did public relations work for the Knights of Columbus. Upon his retirement in 1984, Lange took some wood-carving classes, and has shown great talent for the craft. Aside from the coffin, another memorable piece of Lange’s work was a Last Supper carving that received a Grand Champion at the Winona County Fair.

Another carving project that Lange speaks with pride about is the 1,009 hoot owls he carved to benefit the breast cancer cause. Lange said he could carve up to 30 owls a day. He has also carved birds for his children and grandchildren.

Walker turner TS - Family Woodworking

First, I dont have pics, waiting for the camerea to come in on tuesday. I just picked up a Walker Turner ts w2 extention on the right side and the 1 one the left. It also came with a Biesemeyer 50" rail and fence.It is a cabinet saw. Table is is great shape. Run smoth with a 2hp motor on it. Paid $500. We had to take all the ext. tables off to move it. Cant wait to get the shop floor done so we can get in place and use it. Is that one of the geared motor saws? Not that it matters - just think they're unusual and a bit interesting. That's a nice saw, especially with the Bies, 2hp motor, and brand name. If / when you would decide to sell it, you certainly won't lose any cash. Walker Turner has a bit of a cult following. I've got a WT drill press and have rebuild a 24" scroll saw. Nice stuff. As soon as i've got some time to play (hopefully in a few weeks), i'll get my "new" 1959 cabinet saw up and running. Can't wait - i understand your impatience.

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