"I met Jarud several times through family and mutual friends. Most of those times were centered around tailgating and Hawkeye football games. His passing came as a shock. I'll miss talking Hawks with Jarud and trips to Iowa City wont' be the same. His family and friends have been in my thoughts during these difficult times. "
In loving memory of
Jarud Thomas Lang
April 30, 1981 - January 30, 2020
Jarud Thomas Lang, passed away peacefully in Tea, South Dakota, on January 30, 2020. He was born on April 30, 1981, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, Iowa, to parents Thomas R. and Tauhni J. (Behn) Lang.
Jarud graduated from Brandon Valley High School in Brandon, South Dakota, in 2000. He went on to Minnesota West Community College in Worthington, Minnesota, and finished his college degree at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota. In high school, Jarud was a 4-time state-qualifying wrestler, placing 6th his junior year, but it was baseball that became the passion of most of his life. At Minnesota West, he was a team co-MVP and at the end of his time there, he received a scholarship to play at Mount Marty where he worked his way into the starting line-up during his two years on the team. His love of the game continued after college as an assistant coach under head coach Andy Bernatow at Mount Marty for three years and he spent many summers playing fast-pitch softball in Beaver Creek, Minnesota and amateur baseball in Hills, Minnesota, and Menno, South Dakota.
After college, Jarud worked at Dollar Loan in Yankton, South Dakota, before moving on to work for First Dakota National Bank in Yankton and had recently transferred to the Sioux Falls branch.
He was an avid sports fan throughout his life; he always knew what was going on with Iowa wrestling and football, the Chicago Bears and Cubs. He never walked away from a game of darts, bags, or cards, and had only one rule; it must be competitive. He could make friends with anyone, loved to pick up the tab, lit up any room he was in and mischief was never far from where he was.
Jarud is survived by his parents Tom and Tauhni (Behn) Lang of Russell, Iowa, sister Kami Rankin and husband Mark Dungan of Grimes, Iowa, brother Jason (Meghan) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and brother Cade (Shannon) of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He will be greatly missed by nephews Luke and Drew Rankin of Grimes, Merlin Lang of Colorado Springs and nieces Megan and Lily Lang of Cedar Falls, Becca Lang of Iowa City and Kyrstn Darlington of Bergen, Norway. He is also survived by numerous cousins and a countless number of friends.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Wallace Lang, maternal grandmother Rosemary Behn and infant niece Nelia Lang.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family.
Tributes
"So sorry for your loss. I loved playing ball with Jarud! He was a great player and teammate! You are in my prayers."
"Tom, Tauhni & family-Our thoughts & prayers are with you during this time, thinking of you..Ray & Carol Funke"
"we are so sorry for your loss of Jarud. we so enjoyed meeting your family through Jarud and Eric's friendship. Praying for all of you as you go through this hard time. Remembering all of the ball games and good times that we had together. Alan & Zoe Harnack"
"Jarud will truly be missed. I worked with him at the bank. Had many of laughs with him. He touched so many lives in a positive way. He always had time to stop to see how you where really doing. He will be missed by many. Jarud and Your family with be in my thoughts and prayers."
"I worked with Jarud at the bank. He was also a pleasure to work with. I just saw him on Tuesday. He was happy as always! He will be greatly missed. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. ~Sherry Hunhoff"
"Jaurd what joy he has brought to our family. Aaron and his wife Rachel along with the children so blessed to have him in there lives. Wade and I loved him as part of our family. His contagious smile brightened every room. He was so humble and had such a great personality. He had no idea how many lives he has touched in the short time he was with us. We send you all prayers and big hugs! Our hearts are broken. He will truly be missed. ??"
"Our deepest sympathy to you, our prayers are with you and your family. Ed & Betty Etnier"
"Tauhni and Tom Thinking of you both. May you find peace knowing how many lives Jarud touched through baseball and coaching. Annette Scheffer "
"Tom and Tauhni...our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. How can we forget about the great times Matt, Tanner, Jeff, Micah, Aaron and Jarud spent together everyday in high school. We are all deeply saddened by the news. Steve and Linda Tischler (Matt Carroll's parents)"
"Tom and Tauhni , We are sending our deepest thoughts and prayers to you. We have no idea of how you must be feeling at this time. But want you to know that your family will be on our minds and hoping God will give strength and comfort getting through this tough time. As always your friends from Brooklyn Archie & Sally Kuntz "
"Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to all of Jarud?s family. We have known Jared for a long time as he was a great friend to my son Ryan. It was heartwarming to watch Jarud, Kyle and Ryan grow up together, having each other?s back, watching out for each other and just being great friends. When Jarud was around there was always lots of laughter and fun. He truly was a good young man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Terry and Carmen Wiese"