Gerald Dean Langeland

Gerald Langeland, 85, of Chandler, AZ and formerly of Butterfield, MN passed away surrounded by family on Friday March 19 at his home in Chandler, AZ. Gerald Dean Langeland was born on September 14, 1935 in St James, MN to Stella Langeland. He was raised by Pearl and Julius Ommodt on their family farm at Odin. He was baptized and confirmed at St Olaf Lutheran Church rural Odin. He attended country school through 8th grade at District 34 across the road from the farm and later at Butterfield High School with the Class of ‘53. During his youth he played sports and especially enjoyed playing baseball. He often talked about the many great games the Odin team played against their rival Ormsby. Gerald worked for many area farmers during his youth.

Gerald left high school and enlisted in the US Air Force in 1952. He spent 5 years in the service and was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany for 4 years working as a flight engineer. He often talked about visiting 36 different countries while in the Air Force. In 1957, Gerald returned to Odin and worked for Leonard Ammann.

On September 19, 1959 Gerald married Marian Flohrs at Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Ormsby. Gerald and Marian purchased the home farm at Odin from Julius Ommodt and raised crops, chickens, hogs, cattle and horses. This marriage produced 4 children. In 1977, Gerald rented out his farm, sold his farm machinery and went to work for Mathiowetz Construction. In 1979, Gerald was hired at his “dream job” as a maintenance man at Land O Lakes in Mt Lake. He loved this job as he was always working with people and the job was different each day. He retired in 1997.

Gerald and Marian took the family to Springfield, Missouri each July and later enjoyed trips to Connecticut and Arizona to visit their children. In 1996, Gerald and Marian purchased their home in Chandler, AZ and began spending winters there. Gerald spent each early morning at Hoosiers Cafe where he made a group of friends that met daily.

Gerald was happiest when he was around people. He loved spending evenings riding horse over to Richard Peterson’s and visiting or going for a ride in his pickup to check crops and stopping at a neighbor's farm to visit. Gerald loved his neighbors and would do anything to help them when needed. Gerald was a life-long member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. He was one of the founding fathers of the Odin Saddle Club and was very active in that club throughout its existence. He was also a member of the Butterfield VFW. He will best be remembered for being his children’s number one fan at their various sporting events. Gerald also loved his Odin Store morning coffee group. He would often be the first one there and make the coffee for everyone to enjoy. He especially liked ribbing everyone that was a friend. Gerald was deeply Patriotic to his country and attended the Memorial Day Celebration in Butterfield each year. He loved his hometown, his family and his many friends.

Gerald is survived by his wife Marian of Chandler, AZ, son Brian (Colleen) of Owatonna, MN, daughter Melanie (Kurt) Semmel of Stamford, CT, daughter Mary Langeland of Chandler, AZ and son-in-law Bryan Rohwer of Chandler, AZ. Grandchildren Logan, Carli and Lexi Langeland, Hunter and Montana Semmel, brother-in-law Bill Putrino, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Stella, sister Audrey, Step-parents Julius and Pearl Ommodt, daughter Brenda Rohwer, brother and sister-in-laws Duane and Marian Flohrs, Lee and Berneil Wenner, and Donna Putrino, mother and father-in-law Fred and Mildred Flohrs and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of Gerald’s life will take place at a later date in Minnesota.