Francis Langer

Francis Peter Langer, age 86 of Ellsworth died unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday, August 29th from advanced heart issues.  Francis was born on May 1, 1935 in Pierz, MN; son of Frank and Anne (Hammes) Langer.  He was raised in Pierz, MN and eventually the family ended up in Somerset, WI.  In 1959 he enlisted in the Army National Guard where he proudly served.  In 1960 he married Frances Demulling to which 6 children were blessed.  This union later dissolved in 1982.

Francis’ work took him from Champion Air Craft in Osceola WI, to WITC in New Richmond where he was an integral part of forming the mobile welding unit.  He brought this unit to the Gordon Correctional Center in Gordon, WI.  He also worked as the safety coordinator at Twin City Shipyard until they closed, he ran a bar and welding shop in Solon Springs, WI then made his way to Thomas and Betts in Hager City, WI, where he retired in 2000.  Fixing, building and creating never left him, even on his final day he spent time in his shop.

Francis was self-taught. The eldest of 14 working was a necessity, but learning a priority.  He would research what he didn’t know, a consummate DIY’er.  Encyclopedias and manuals were always present.

Interests such as hobby farming in the 1970’s, fishing, and dancing to old time polkas, when he could, and playing keyboard, kept Francis active. He also had a passion for tractors.

Francis met his current wife, Marilyn Schmidt Cichy, at a polka event he attended.   The couple lived their entire married life at their home in Ellsworth, WI.

While in Ellsworth Francis was an active member of the Kinne-Engelhart American Legion #204 where he served, at one point, as Post Commander.

Francis will live in the hearts of his wife Marilyn; children Cheryl Beseler of Dresser, Dennis (Margo) Langer of Osceola, Theresa (Tom Ett) of St Paul, MN, Ruth (Dean) Anderson of Stillwater, Brenda (Gary) Sjerven of McGrath, MN, and Lynne Langer of Orlando, FL; grandchildren Bryan, Amanda (Kevin), Preston, Brady, Alli, Quincy, Connor (Nikki), Aaron (Abigail), Faith (Jack); eleven great-grandchildren; siblings Melvin Langer, Joseph (Karen) Langer, David Langer, Steven (Sandy) Langer, Michael (Angie) Langer, Anthony (Karin) Langer, Vincent Langer, Maryanne Quaderer, Bernadette Brom, Anne Marie (Brian) Abrahamson; and a host of nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; 2nd wife Joyce; siblings Marvin, Robert, Ramona BelleIsle, and brothers/sisters-in-law Cletus BelleIsle, Gail Langer, Jim Quaderer.

Mass of Christian Burial for Francis Langer will be 10AM, Saturday September 4th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Burial with full military honors provided by his fellow American Legion Members will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Friday September 3rd from 3pm to 5pm at the O’Connell Benedict Funeral Home in Ellsworth as well as one hour prior to the mass at church Saturday. Memorials are preferred to the Kinne-Engelhart American Legion Post #204 of Ellsworth. Mass will be livestreamed through the following link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnc5aQFfRw4

Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, WI, www.oconnellfuneralservices.com, 715-273-4421