Willette Diane (Ubl) Lang

Willette Diane Lang, 93 of Albuquerque passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 22, 2023. She was born Saturday, October 12, 1929 to William and Josephine (Zemlick) Ubl in Chicago, Il. She and her younger brother, Richard, grew up in the Chicago suburb of Berwyn. She attended Morton High School where she participated in creative dance and drama. She continued her education at Morton Junior College and then at Grinnell College in Iowa where she received a degree in English education. After her college graduation in 1951, she was accepted into a training program to become a buyer for the Carson Pirie Scott department store in downtown Chicago.

In 1953, she married James J. Lang (Jim), the love of her life. They moved to Albuquerque, NM where she took a job as a data analyst at Sandia National Laboratory, where her husband also worked as a Mechanical Engineer. When Jim was drafted into the Army, they moved to Philadelphia for two years. During this time Willette worked at Frankford Arsenal. When Jim's service time ended, they moved back to Albuquerque where Willette continued her employment with Sandia National Labs. In 1959, Willette and Jim started a family with the arrival of their daughter, Debra. Then in 1963, their son, Gary, arrived. During the time that Debra and Gary were in school, she volunteered as treasurer of the PTA at their school. She also joined the Albuquerque Civic Choir where she enjoyed singing as a soprano for many years. After Jim passed away in 2012, she began volunteering at the Assistance League of Albuquerque.

She is survived by her daughter; Debra (Jim) Hutchins and her son; Gary (Katie) Lang. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Tanner Lang, Riley (Sadie) Lang, McKinley Lang, and Wesley Hutchins, in addition to many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; Jim, sisters-in-laws; Rose Reisiger, Blanche Wostratzky, and Carol Ubl.

Willette was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She taught her children and grandchildren to be responsible, resilient, and compassionate. She always emphasized the importance of perseverance, and her overcoming many health obstacles was a testament to that. Her family loved her dearly, and she will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations for engineering academic scholarships can be given to the UNM School of Engineering at UNM Foundation Two Woodward Ctr, 700 Lomas NE, Ste 108, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

A Memorial Service for Willette Lang will be held on August 5, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at FRENCH- Wyoming.