Richard Langer Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

The Mass of the Christian burial for Richard Langer, of Wadena, will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 10, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena, with Father Aaron Kuhn as celebrant. A public visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. A Rosary will also begin at 9:30 a.m. Richard, age 86, passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Ecumen Care Center in Detroit Lakes, MN, with the love and care of his family and Ethos Hospice. Richard was born, the fifth child of nine, to Joseph and Olivia (Zahler) Langer on October 15, 1934, at their home in Bluffton, MN. He graduated with the Wadena High School Class of 1952, and later served as a Private in the US Army from June 1956 until his honorable discharge in 1958. A year later, on May 11, 1959, Rich was united in marriage with Mary Magdalen Hoffarth at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. Rich took up the trade of carpentry, building several homes in the Wadena area. His craftmanship for cabinet making has been admired over the years by numerous people. Working with wood and creating various items was a life-long passion. Rich was a steward of the earth when planting trees at the home he shared with his wife. He enjoyed watching and feeding birds along with other wildlife. In hours away from work, he liked to play cards with family and friends, and being an armchair coach while watching college sports; especially Minnesota Gophers! Rich was an usher at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, served on the parish council, and was a member of Catholic Aid and the Wadena Elks Lodge. Being a loving husband and dedicated father and grandfather was his most important role in life. He loved spending time with his family and will be deeply missed every day. Preceding Rich in death were his parents Joseph and Olivia; siblings Reinhold (Isabelle) Langer, Sister Lydia Langer and Bernadette (Arlan) King; and brothers-in-law Rich Geiser and Ron Corbett. Memories of Rich will be treasured by his beloved wife of over 61 years, Mary; children Debra (Brad) Ellingworth and Mark Langer both of Wadena, Paul Langer of Beulah, ND, Lori (Kameron) Koch of Walker, and Diane (Brian) Herding of West Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Warren (April) Ellingworth, Jacob Ellingworth (Brittany Rapp), Aaron (Elizabeth) Ellingworth, Tyler and Rylie Langer, Matthew and Olivia Koch, and great-grandson Everett Ellingworth; siblings Agnes Geiser of Bluffton, Irene Corbett of Wadena, Alfred (Barbara) Langer of Grand Forks, ND, Ben (Zee) Langer of Beverly Hills, FL, and Leo (Helen) Langer of Marshall, MN; along with extended family and a host of friends and neighbors. Honorary pallbearers will be Rich’s grandchildren and great-grandchild. Serving as pallbearers will be Warren Ellingworth, Jacob Ellingworth, Aaron Ellingworth, Matthew Koch, Jeff King, Chris King and Dennis Geiser. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, MN.

Richard Langer

October 15, 1934 - February 6, 2021