Community Surrounds Family After Tragedy

DAYTON -- Harvest Christian Center Pastor Tony Sykes said the 25 cents he spent on a book- mark Hosanna Joy Lorang made last Wednesday, June 20, during their youth session was the best pur- chase he ever made.

Sykes led seven-year- old Lorang's memorial service Saturday, June 30, in front of an audience of tearful onlookers at the Harvest Christian Center.

On Wednesday, June 27, Lorang fell about 20 feet while climbing a tree at her home in Dayton. Her father, stay-at-home dad Jake Lorang, rushed her to Dayton General Hospital and she was airlifted to Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane where she later died.

"After she died, I waited for the questions to hit," Tara Lorang said. "It was the first time in my life that I didn't sleep for an entire night."

The Christian center was full of music and sup- port Saturday afternoon.

Teachers, friends and family members packed the church, leav- ing standing room only, with some community members spilling into the hallway.

Photos depicting Lorang's life decorated the entrance of the church. There were photos of she and her family and pieces of completed homework. One piece was of her hand- prints in paint and another piece was from when she was Star of the Week for her class.

Lorang's parents, Tara and Jake Lorang, per- formed a duet and both spoke about the peace they had to make with the loss of their daughter and the importance of their faith in their time of mourning. Lorang was the oldest of two other children, six- year-old Mandy and five- year-old Benjamin.

Tearful family members and friends of the Lorang family stood to speak about the little girl who had been so full of life. One family member talked about the sticker Lorang had given him the last time he saw her so he would remember her by.

"She was a sweet, sunny little girl who always had a pretty smile when she used to come out and greet her mom (after carpooling to the community college)," family friend Sarah Groff- man said.

Sykes said Lorang loved to make crafts and sell them and the bookmark he purchased would be some- thing worth treasuring because it now represents so much to him.

Lorang was recounted as smart and clever by family members and as someone who was full of light and devoted to her faith along with the rest of her family.

The service featured readings from passages including Psalm 1:16 and Isaiah 53, worship music and shared memories of Lorang.

Family friend Heather Kiefel said the Lorang family does not have health insurance and needs the support of the community to help ease the financial burdens of their loss.

Kiefel created the Hosanna Lorang Memorial Fund, which is accessible through any Banner Bank location.

There is also a Hosanna Lorang Donation Fund Facebook page with a Pay- Pal link set up for any sup- porters who want to donate to the family online.

Finally, there will be a bake sale to help contrib- ute to the fund on July 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the Dayton Mer- cantile grocery store on Main Street.

Kiefel encouraged ev- eryone to donate to the fund because every little bit of support helps the family in this difficult time.

To Donate To The Lorang Family:

Hosanna Lorang

Memorial Fund

Accessible at anyBanner Bank location

Hosanna Lorang

Donation Fund

Found on Facebook,Includes a PayPal link

Lorang FamilyBake SaleJuly 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dayton Mercantile on

Main Street