Karen (Bobay) Lang

Karen (Bobay) Lang, 79, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023 in Fort Wayne Indiana, having lived a full and extraordinary life. Born in Fort Wayne on December 29, 1943, Karen excelled at the performing arts. As a pre-teen, she starred in a dance troupe which professionally performed throughout the area. In high school, she was voted Best Dancer, embellishing her wide-spread reputation as the “Queen of the Hop.” Karen excelled at the clarinet and won many regional and statewide awards for her musical virtuosity. She graduated from Indiana University on the Dean’s List. After studying voice and acting in New York City, she auditioned, on a whim, for a daily children’s TV show in Minneapolis (Romper Room) and got the job, without previously appearing on TV. Her success was phenomenal. Within six months, she had the highest-rated Romper Room program in the country (over 100 stations) and became a local celebrity. Without bragging, she was fond of saying that when appearing at the most-prestigious department store in Minneapolis during the Christmas season, she outdrew Santa Claus 10 to 1. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey personally asked her to send signed pictures to his grandchildren. Her TV success was the subject of a feature article in a leading national entertainment magazine of the time. After four years on the air, Karen decided to leave show business and raise a family, moving with her husband to the New York City area, where they lived for 27 years, traveling and enjoying the attractions of NYC. Karen and her husband moved back Fort Wayne in 2002, following 9/11. Well known for her enthusiasm and joie de vivre, Karen never failed to enthrall people with her stories of personal adventures and hijinks. Once you met her, you never forgot her. Karen is survived by her husband of 56 years, James A. Lang; son, James O. (Rosemary) Lang; daughter, Joy M. Lang; three grandchildren; and sister, Claudette Bobay. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Wanda Bobay; and brother, Arthur Bobay. Funeral service will be 10:30 am on Friday, July 7, 2023 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 6750 Covington Road, Fort Wayne with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne. Condolences and memories of Karen may be left online at www.greenlawnmpfh.com.