Insurance agent, philanthropist remembered

As an insurance agent with American Family Insurance in Springfield, Lang served about 2,000 households. As an active volunteer with Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, she was a committee member and mentor.

Lang, 57, died Dec. 31 after physicians recently discovered breast cancer cells in her lungs. She was originally diagnosed with breast cancer about 10 years ago.

Colleagues and fellow philanthropists say they’ll miss Lang’s work in the community, but more importantly, they’ll miss her presence and dedication.

Ellen Hammock, executive director of BCFO, said Lang always was readily available to serve in any capacity needed in the organization.

“She did a lot for furthering women’s issues of all kinds, not just breast cancer,” Hammock said. “She would drop what she was doing, personally or for her business, to try and help out people.”

Most recently, Lang spent hours working as a consultant to women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer and needed insurance for medical costs.

“She did that voluntarily,” said Mary Beth O’Reilly, founder of BCFO. “She wasn’t just a board member and a committee member. She was an invaluable resource to us, and she was an amazing woman.”

In her career, Lang first worked in tax preparation before coming to American Family Insurance, where she operated the Kathy Lang Agency Inc. for the last 20 years.

She was named an All American Agent by American Family Insurance consistently – a feat achieved by only 30 percent of the firm’s agents, said Scott McCoy, district manager.

“She always considered other people’s feelings,” McCoy said. “The most successful agents do that. Their concern is for their customers.”

Lang’s work extended beyond the office in her role as an adviser to the Baker Chair of Insurance at Missouri State University and as president of the Springfield Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

In 2003, Lang was honored as a Missouri Midland Central Health Line Leader, and in 2002, she was named one of Springfield Business Journal’s Most Influential Women in Business.

The recognition was well-deserved, said Clara Lawrence, who was Lang’s office manager for 16 years and one of two employees in the office.

But Lang strove for something other than acclaim, Lawrence added.

“She was here not for what she was getting or what she was receiving pay for. She was here for her clients,” Lawrence said. “Regardless of what it would do for her, it didn’t matter.”

A visitation and memorial service were scheduled for Jan. 7 at Greenlawn Funeral Home South.

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