Ervin P. Langholz was born in 1934 in Mobridge, S.D, to Rev. and Mrs. W.O. Langholz. He became a child of God in Holy Baptism and renewed his baptismal covenant through confirmation. After graduating Wartburg College, he married the love of his life, Carrie, during his years of study at Wartburg Seminary. She became his faithful partner in life, ministry and family. He was ordained in July of 1960 in Tripp S.D.
Ervin has been blessed by God’s leading in his life, amazed at God’s mercy and provision (Jehovah Jireh). From the beginning of his ministry he committed, wherever God leads me I will go. God led him through a variety of churches for over 50 years including a rural parish (Immanuel Lutheran Lodgepole NE), a city setting (American Lutheran Kankakee IL) a mission church (Loves Park IL), a small town setting (Gifford IL) and final a large church (American Lutheran Sun City Az) as Pastor of Care Ministry. In each unique setting, God’s hand led, guided and supported Ervin and these congregations. Ervin also served on local and synod boards, chaplain at local jails, staff at Bible camps. Ervin served with the conviction of the Reformation boldness of Sola grata, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura.
Ervin believed the calling to be a disciple of Christ is a lifetime call. From the end of his formal ministry Ervin felt called to serve beyond the local church to the streets of Phoenix and beyond. He regularly held community bible studies, counseled at risk youth, regularly visited home bound seniors and completed lifelong dreams of foreign mission work being part of a Lutheran delegation to Senegal and helping start a new church in Cochabamba, Bolivia, preaching the first sermon.
Ervin is preceded into heaven by his wife Carrie. He remains loved and appreciated by his 4 sons: David (Melissa), John (Karin), Paul (Laurel) and Mark (Lori) and his four sisters, Mildred (Robert) Herder, Doris (Paul) Johnson, Ruth (John) Weikel and Lois Langholz. He has been blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom hold him dear to our hearts. One of the things we are most thankful for is his following the practice of those who went before, praying for the generations of our family to love Jesus and serve Him in preaching and living the Word. We have benefited from his deep convictions and personal example, his gift of Christian faith and love passed onto us.
Ervin was a multifaceted man- a good son, wonderful brother, loving father, grand and great grandfather. He engaged in life with a natural inquisitiveness, leading to world travel to over 30 countries, a love for gardening, a passion for reading with a large library, rich in depth.
He saw life as a gift from God and people as a blessing. People were drawn to him naturally for a variety of reasons including an affinity with his humble roots, his regular practice of hospitality and listening, his colorful personality and humor, his powerful writing and preaching ministry. He had a wonderful ability to connect with the individual in front of him, with genuine interest, reflecting God’s interest in each of us. This example Ervin gave as a servant of God, serving with penitent humility, with constant thanksgiving for salvation, expressing it in love to those whose lives he touched.
Special thanks to Dad’s church family at ALC in Sun City, the caring staff at the Assisted Living Center, Desert Harbor Forum, the wonderful people at Hospice of the Valley, his physicians and health care providers, special friends and neighbors.
We rejoice that he is now in the company of God, whom he loved so much and served so well.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Stephen Ministries at American Lutheran Church of Sun City, 17200 N. Del Webb Blvd.,
Sun City, AZ 85373.
623-974-2512
http://www.alcsuncity.org
