James (Jim) Allen Langer, age 74 of Ellsworth died peacefully December 22, 2021 on his farm as his entire family sent him off with love. Jim was born on November 12, 1947 in Red Wing, Minnesota; the son of Frederic and Dorothy (Yanisch) Langer. He attended St. Francis Parochial School prior to graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1966. He was drafted into the Armed Forces in January of 1968, where he proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was retired from the Army as a decorated veteran receiving two prestigious Purple Hearts. Jim was a member of the Kinne-Engelhart American Legion Post #204 in Ellsworth, WI.

Having been born and raised on a farm, Jim was able to return home to the family farm on Thurston Hill, continuing as a farmer his entire life and rejoicing in operating a 4th generation farm with his children and grandkids. Never known for shying away from hard work, long days or hardship. He spent many hours tilling the land and turned thousands of acres over the years, tended to animals and harvested many crops, not only for himself, but others. He took pride in his equipment and loved to share his passion for farming with everyone he met. He was proud to be a member of the Ellsworth FFA Alumni, where he continued to promote agriculture and the family farm. Jim was known for his John Deere 4440 “Turf Duster” and many years of participation in both competing and promoting the sport of tractor pulling.

Jim developed a great appreciation for God and life during his service, and while recovering at an Army hospital for sixteen months due to his injuries in the Vietnam War. The greatest gift of his hospitalization at Valley Forge, PA, was that he met his future bride. On June 20, 1970, he was united to his best friend and soulmate Vicki Glaser in Cincinnati, Ohio. This union would be blessed with four children. He was so very proud of his children and loved to be with his grandchildren. Having felt God had a hand in everything, he saw himself blessed to be alive and able to farm, build a family and live his best life.

To say he was patriotic would be an understatement. He made sure his flag was always flying high and supported other veterans in any way possible. Jim could be found playing cards, going to auctions, building his collections, or at The Big Horn in Beldenville, having a root beer. Although he didn’t get to travel as often as he wished, he had great memories exploring new places, especially going to Florida and visiting with Vicki’s family, their friends and NASCAR Races.

Jim will forever live on in the hearts of his wife Vicki; children Jamie (Dawn Kobs), Nina (Doug) Borth, Jeremy Langer; grandchildren Rhett, Shanelle, Wyatt (Brittany Marty), Halle, Garett, Haedyn, Joey & Brianna Kobs; siblings Ron (Darlene) Langer, Gaylen (Sue) Langer, Sharon (Dennis) Getzie; family-in-law Clark Jr. (Marjorie) Glaser, Emily (Rob) Tack, John (Joyce) Glaser, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter Suzi, parents, parents-in-law: Clark and WavaAnn Glaser, and sister, Diane Langer.

Mass of Christian Burial for James Langer will be 11:00am, Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 2021 with Father David Olson officiating. The service will be livestreamed to: https://youtu.be/Ui8obxBVixI. Burial with full military honors paying respect to his service in the Army and receiving two Purple Hearts will be provided by Kinne-Engelhart American Legion Post #204 of Ellsworth at Thurston Hill Cemetery in Ellsworth. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 28, 2021 from 4pm to 7pm at St Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth as well as one hour prior to the mass at church Wednesday.

Memorials preferred to the discretion of the family.

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