Joseph Ira Langer

Langer, Joseph Ira Age 89 of Eden Prairie. Joe passed away on April 2, 2019. He was born October 18, 1929 in Bootjack, MI, to Mary Amelia (Plutt) and Ira Joseph Langer. He had two sisters Jeanette & Caroline, who both died in childhood. The family moved to Laurium, where Joe attended Sacred Heart grade school and two years of high school. He graduated from Lake Linden High School, where he played football. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy for a very short period and then went into the Merchant Marine to see the world. He later enrolled at St. Thomas College. He joined the R.O.T.C and played in the Army Reserve Band. He also played in the St Thomas Concert and Marching bands, the orchestra, and sang in the Gregorian chant choir. While in college, he worked part-time at Barrett Moving where he met Donna Lou (Larson) in the summer of 1950. They married in September, just as he was called to active duty in the Army during the Korean War. He was posted to Ft Riley, Kansas and Donna joined him there in the spring of 1951. After he left the Army, he went back to work at Barrett. He rose from helper and driver to President and then Chairman of the company, and helped it to grow to a very successful company. He was awarded United Van Lines' two highest awards for sales and excellence, made many lifelong friends among his nationwide colleagues, and spent 68 years in the industry he loved. Joe and Donna have four children: Laura Lee Langer, Eden Prairie; Paul Langer (Linda), Brookfield WI; Carol Lynn Langer, Austin TX; Lois Ann Langer Thompson (Jeff), Marysville, WA. They have two grandchildren, Elizabeth Knous (Michael); David Langer (St Paul, MN), and two great-grandchildren, Willow and Celeste Knous. He loved them all. Joe was an active civic leader, belonging to the Jaycees and the Twin Cities Transportation Club. He served on the Aquatennial Committee, as President of the Southwest Kiwanis Club, and coached Little League baseball. He was on the Boards of NorthWest Bank, Wells Fargo, Eden Prairie Foundation, Golden Valley Country Club, Walker Methodist Homes Board, Opportunity Partners, and was a Founding Member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. He sang in the Mount Olivet choir and was a head usher, served several terms on the Church Council and Homes Board, was Chairman of the Endowment Fund and President of the Men's Club. He loved playing cards, attending Ham and Eggs, playing golf at Golden Valley Country Club and Braemar Men's Club. He loved to spend time with friends and always had another story to tell. Joe's motto was Service to others is the rent we pay for living on earth. He lived a full life. Memorial service Tuesday, April 30 11:00 AM at Mt Olivet Lutheran Church, 7150 Rolling Acres Road, Excelsior, MN. Visitation Monday, April 29th from 5-7pm at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 West 50th Street, Edina and also one hour prior to the service at Mt Olivet. Memorials preferred to Mt Olivet Rolling Acres or Opportunity Partners.

Tributes

Joseph Ira Langer

October 18, 1929 - April 2, 2019

Tributes

Joseph Ira Langer

October 18, 1929 - April 2, 2019

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