Heloise Darden Lange passed away peacefully at the age of 99 during the morning hours of Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Chitimacha Rivercane Senior Center in Charenton. She was a member of the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana.
Heloise, affectionately known as “Aunt Louise” or “Aunt Lou” to all who knew her, was born on November 2, 1925 in Charenton where she was raised and spent her youth. She was the youngest, and last surviving, of ten children born of the union of Ernest “Papa Jack” Darden and Felicia Mora Darden. She attended Choctaw Boarding School in North Carolina and was the first in her family to graduate. She then attended the Cadet Nurse Core for 3 years. Following she trained at Mercy Hospital and worked for a few years at Hotel Dieu, both in New Orleans. She worked as a public health nurse for the city of New Orleans where she retired after 30 years.
In 1948 she married the love of her life, George Winfred Lange. They moved to New Orleans, where George became a carpenter and found work. New Orleans was their home for many years. Following the passing of George in 1987, Heloise returned to her home town of Charenton where she has resided since 1993.
In addition to her husband and parents, Heloise was preceded in death by her nine siblings, Albert J. Darden, Gabriel “Dick” Darden, Emma Darden Bernard, Ernest Bennette “Ben” Darden, Cora Darden Vilcan, Coralie Darden Latino, Mable Darden Vilcan, Vincent W. Darden, and Florence Darden Speer.
Those she leaves to cherish her memory include a long list of beloved nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered as a devout Christian who lived with determination, fearlessness and great courage. She always had a kind word for you and would give advice is asked. She loved her family deeply and prayed for them constantly. She was silly, loved to laugh, and could always make you smile. She was loved.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charenton during a 12:00 noon Mass of Christian Burial. A gathering of family and friends will be held beginning at 10:00 AM with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM. Following the Mass she will be laid to rest in the Immaculate Conception Mausoleum. Father Michael DeBlanc will be the Celebrant for the Mass and conduct the services. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Jack Darden, Burton Broussard, Alton Dudley LeBlanc Jr., Dean LeBlanc, Chris Taylor, and Mark Cortez.
The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to her caregivers, Vickey Jernigan, Charlene Soprano, Norma Jean LeBlanc, and Nora Burgess, as well as to the staff of Rivercane and Heart of Hospice.
Family and friends are invited to share their memories and condolences with the family by visiting her memorial page at www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc. 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.