OBITUARY FOR ED LANGER

Edward and Helen Langer were long-time members of Our Savior's Lutheran until they moved to Decorah in 2001.


Edward Ernest Langer, age 91, died peacefully on June 16, 2009, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ed was born November 6, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, to Ernest and Marie Czerny Langer, immigrants from Austria and Czechoslovakia. He was graduated from Morton High School and Junior College in Cicero, Illinois.

Ed earned a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Chicago, specializing in foreign trade and transportation. Ed helped finance his education by playing viola in a dance orchestra that performed around the Chicago area.

After employment with the Seagram Calvert Distilling Company in Louisville, and Baltimore, Ed came to work for Sears, Roebuck and Company in Chicago, where he remained for the rest of his career. His first assignment was in traffic management.

In 1942, Ed was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Card. He was assigned to the staff of the Amphibious Forces and participated in the planning and execution of Army and Marine landings in Sicily, Saipan, Palau, Linguayan Gulf, Leyte, and Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Bronze Star for action in the Philippines. He continued to study naval skills after completing active duty, and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the reserves.

Ed married Helen Lohrmann, of Berwyn, Illinois, on June 21, 1945, while on a leave in Long Beach, California. To secure the permission of Helen’s father, a Lutheran pastor, Ed was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on an earlier leave from the Navy.

After military service, Ed returned to Sears. As a buyer of steel products, he travelled throughout Europe and the Far East. During this time, the Langers raised three children in Brookfield, Illinois, where Ed served the community on both the School Board and the Library Board.

Following retirement from Sears in 1973, Ed and Helen moved to a historic stone house in Lansing, Iowa, overlooking the Mississippi River. Ed took up fishing and beekeeping. He played viola with the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse Symphony Orchestra. He acquired a Hardanger Norwegian folk fiddle and played at festivals in the area. He served as chaplain in his VFW chapter. The couple continued to travel, especially enjoying freighter trips to exotic ports.

In 2001, Ed and Helen moved to independent living in Decorah, Iowa. After Helen’s death in 2006, Ed relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, living with daughter Jane McGuire and her family.

Ed is survived by son Richard Langer (Christelle) of Minneapolis, daughters Jane McGuire (David) of Albuquerque, and Mary Butler (Van) of Durango, Colorado, and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, and his brother Robert.

Ed donated his body to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009, at St Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, Albuquerque, where Ed was a member. Memorial gifts may be made to the parish’s New Building Fund, in lieu of flowers.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

Mary Butler
62 Cypress Court
Durango, CO 81301