Peggy A. Lang

Peggy Arnette Lang, 71, of Dannebrog, Nebraska died July 5, 2018 at her home.  

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 26, 2018 at Dannebrog's Dansk Hall from 2:00 - 5:00 P.M. 

Memorials are suggested to the National Gay and Lesbian Defense Fund, the Central Nebraska Peace Workers, Free Speech TV, Democracy Now, or The Pawnee Arts Center in Dannebrog, NE.  

Ms. Lang was born on September 16, 1946 in Chelsea, Massachusetts to Bruce Everett Lang and Eceneith (Osterman) Lang, both of Dannebrog, NE.  

Peggy attended school in Massachusetts, Nebraska, California, Texas, Colorado, and Tennessee.  She enlisted in the Navy in Denver, Colorado and was a Vietnam era Veteran.  She attended boot camp in Orlando, Florida and proceeded to Great Lakes, Illinois to attend Medical Corps School.  Upon transferring to Norfolk, Virginia she was one of three women trailbreakers who entered the rank of Musician for the first time in armed forces history.  She completed A School at Little Creek, Virginia.  She graduated and advanced to MU3.  She was assigned to many Navy Bands as a female vocalist and averaged 40-80,000 miles a year as a support member for recruiting, retention, and moral.  She performed at State Fairs, Colleges, on Radio and Television and The Grand Ole Opry, and at dedication ceremonies for casualties of war.  Her travels took her all over the United States and as far afield as the Azores.  Other duty stations included Charleston, South Carolina, & Millington, Tennessee.

Upon leaving the Armed Forces, she continued to travel and compose her own music.    And she began to emphasize political and social issues.  She had her own bands and performed at many venues.  She was an active advocate for Peace and Justice and attended protests and demonstrations.  She always believed that "everyone and anyone” could make a difference in the world for the betterment of humanity.  One of her proudest invitations was to the first organized Mother's Day celebration at the Rose Bud Reservation in South Dakota where she was a featured singer.  The song she composed for the occasion, "Gather Around Us", has become a favorite of her fans.  

She was a member of the American Legion Post 0241 of Dannebrog, Nebraska.  She and her father, Bruce Lang were the first father and daughter members of this post.  She was also a member of Central Nebraska Peace Workers, Disabled American Veterans, ACLU, the Southern Law Poverty Center, NOW, PFLAG, and the Dannebrog Booster Club.  She enjoyed volunteering for the Pawnee Arts Center.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Casey Craig Basden; mother; father; brothers, Jerry Farmer, Roger Shipley, David Farmer; and infant sister, June Lang.  

Survivors of a large blended family include: Connie McBride and her husband, Mac of Oregon, Jim Lang and his wife, Brenda of Grand Island, NE, Mitch Lang, and his wife, Jennifer of Grand Island, NE, Bonnie O'Brien and her husband, Steve of California, Anna, Jack, and Bonnie Lang of California, Jack Lang and his wife, Jane of California, Margaret Teedes of California, Dennis Farmer of California, Douglas R. Shipley, and his life partner, Brian Shriver-Shipley of California, Jackie Coats and family of Giltner, Nebraska, Alice Osterman of St. Paul, Nebraska, Pete Pemberton and his wife, Pam of Palmer, Nebraska, Al Pemberton and his wife, Kathy of California, Bonisue Pemberton Coburn of Antarctica, Jon Bonifield and his wife, Jill of Oregon, Mary Ann Thomas and her husband, Jim of Colorado, Joni Thomas Burr of Colorado, James Thomas and his wife, Michele of Colorado, Molly Pemberton Davis and her husband, Jon of California, Mel Pemberton Mitovich and her husband Mac of Rhode Island, Sara Beth Pemberton Coburn of California, Dylan Pemberton of California, Peter Pemberton Coburn of California, Daniel Pemberton of California.  

Peggy is also survived by her life partner of 30 years, Gale Pemberton.  Peggy and Gale celebrated the Supreme Court's equality decision by marrying in Dannebrog's Our Saviour's Lutheran Church on December 26, 2015.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Peggy A. Lang, please visit our floral store.