Renea Cherie Lang

Renea was born in Folsom, CA June 27, 1965 to Dawn and Lyle Lang. She passed into Heaven July 25, 2025 in Visalia, CA, one month after her 60th birthday. Renea was a 'special' child, long before that term came into fashion. At birth, she was welcomed by her parents and older brother Bart into a loving family. At six months of age, when it became apparent Renea had developmental issues, Dawn and Lyle were advised to place Renea into a center that would care for her. Instead, Renea stayed with her family and went on to lead a life that few would have dreamed. Long before the internet, Lyle and Dawn painstakingly researched the best educational opportunities for Renea and relocated their family to Visalia in 1969. Taught at home until age 4, Renea hit the ground running when she became a student at the Tulare County Development Center. She was in the first cohort at Maple Melody Learning Center in Tulare, and aged 22 attended The Creative Center where she enjoyed 30 years of movement, art, and life-skills education. Renea was introduced to bowling while attending Maple Melody, and went on to join both Visalia's Finest League for handicapped bowlers, and a 'regular' adult league where she carried the high women's score for several years, with a personal best of 259 on her highest game. She was a proud Special Olympics athlete, competing in softball and track, although she had a tendency to stop and wave to the crowd. One of the first riders with Happy Trails Riding Academy, she and her horse Spur rode weekly. Families were encouraged to participate, so Renea's nieces and nephew have fond memories of time with their aunt at the Happy Trails arena. Renea played softball with Miracle League, looked forward to the monthly dances at Ritchie Barn, and to her weekly outings with the Friday Night About Towners, a City of Visalia program providing bus transportation and dining experiences for special needs citizens. Renea looked forward each year to Disneyland's Happy Hearts Days. The park focused on providing a special welcome to the disabled and their caregivers, and she developed a lifelong passion for Mickey Mouse. She was literally a happy camper at the special needs YMCA Camp Chickasaw, and she loved her summer trips to the central coast, staying with a houseful of friends for two weeks. Renea loved to dress up and took any excuse to ride in a 'limpasine', so she was an enthusiastic attendee at the local Tim Tebow Night To Shine event. Until they discovered her fear of feathers, Renea would sneak into Bart's room to use his Monopoly game. A carefully placed feather in the doorway finally kept her out. Renea was FAST. She could catch fish bare-handed from the front yard pond. She would clear a grocery store aisle of all the price tags, and take every menu, business card, and credit application from a store. Renea loved pencils, and fanny packs - the more fanny packs the better. She started the fashion trend of rocking three or four at one time. She knew what was in each one, and woe to the person who tried to get her to downsize. She loved her dolls, especially Zip the Monkey, Strawberry Shortcake, and Drowsy Baby. She loved Strawberry Shortcake so much that she'd nibble off the cheeks, so there was always a replacement on standby. Renea loved Sunday drives, especially if they ended with an Icee at 7-11, or a Cheeseburger meal with extra pickles at McDonald's. She liked to yell 'Run Boy, Run!' to unsuspecting joggers. She was a champion latch-hook rug assembler and completed hundreds over the years. She really, really loved cheese. Aged one, Renea's first niece, Jennifer, learned to stand in the kitchen, put her arms up and yell "Nay!'. Renea would appear and scoop her up, and together they could reach everything in the kitchen and all corners of the house. There was no telling what would go missing and where it would later appear. One day when Renea was being especially good outside, her parents discovered she had removed every screw from the interior of a car. Lyle had a handful left over when he'd replaced the control panel and trim. She was an avid bicycle rider in her youth, and would head to the donut shop with money 'borrowed' from her dad. She enjoyed copying the time from a digital clock, and her parents could always tell how late she'd stayed up from the last entry -- 12:01, 12:02, 12:03 ... Renea's unique challenges brought amazing families into the Langs' life, particularly the parents of three other special needs 'girls'. Many burdens were shared and lightened with the love, support, and laughter of the Morris, Howard and Bryan families, and so many other wonderful friends. Renea slowed down during the last couple of years of her life but continued to create her rugs, play games, and enjoy life with her two companions, Ellie and Aleli Ramos. She was blessed with wonderful caregivers, especially Suzanne Altadonna and Michelle Boghosian. Renea's nieces and nephew surprised her with an epic 60th birthday party, complete with special guest Mickey Mouse, whose hand Renea did not let go the entire evening. Renea's passing was preceded two months earlier by her loving father, Lyle, who spent his earthly life protecting his daughter. He must have been first in line to welcome his little girl into her heavenly home. She is survived by her mother Dawn, brother Bart (Amanda), nieces and nephew Jennifer (Chris), Blake (Kelly), and Meredith (Anthony), and nine greats. We will celebrate Renea's remarkable life Saturday, January 24, 2026, 5-8 pm, at Bart's home. Please join us to share your own stories. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity important to you. Renea loved her time with Visalia's Finest Bowling League and donations can be sent c/o Jamie, 2636 S. Jacob St, Visalia CA, 93277 Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Renea Cherie Lang

June 27, 1965 - July 25, 2025