"Dear Vera: To have known Ken and you throughout the years brings many joys to our hearts. Ken was blessed with a loving and caring personality for his family and his many, many friends. His joyful presence will be missed. My sincere sympathy to you and your family."
In loving memory of
Kenneth "Ken" Langland
October 20, 1926 - July 4, 2008
Kenneth "Ken" M. Langland was born on October 20, 1926, in Windom, Minnesota to the late Bert H. and Delia (Rhoads) Langland. He was baptized at a young age and later confirmed at the First United Methodist Church in Windom. Ken received his education in the Windom Public Schools; graduating in the Class of 1944. He enlisted in the United State Navy in November of 1944 and was honorably discharged with a medical discharge in August of 1945. He then returned to Windom and began to work for Wynne's Hardware in retail sales.
On June 7, 1948, Ken was united in marriage to Vera Mae Soltau at the First United Methodist Church in Windom. This union was blessed with one daughter and one son, Kay and Bruce. After marriage, Ken continued working at Wynn's Hardware. In 1976, he went to work at the Windom Hospital in Windom for ten years as their maintenance, housekeeping, and laundry supervisor after thirty-one dedicated years at Wynn Hardware. Shortly after leaving the hospital, Ken began to work at Schwalbach Hardware in Windom for eleven years until hip surgery required him to retire. In June of 2007, Ken began receiving dialysis on his one kidney. Ken was able to remain in his own home until June 10, 2008, when he became a resident of the Crossroads Care Center in Worthington, Minnesota. This past Monday, June 30th, Ken no longer received dialysis and passed away at the Crossroads Care Center in Worthington on Friday, July 4, 2008, at the age of 81 years.
Ken was a lifetime resident of Windom and longtime, dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church in Windom. He also was a sixty-two year member of American Legion Post 206 in Windom and the Masonic Lodge in Windom. He will be remembered for many things in life including his love of woodworking, traveling, feeding the birds, gardening, and most of all, his love for his family, especially his grandchildren.
Ken is survived by his wife of sixty-years, Vera Langland of Windom; one daughter, Kay Galer (Robert) of Sioux Falls, SD; three grandsons, Michael Galer (Melissa) of Sioux Falls, SD; Matthew Galer (Heidi) of Sioux Falls, SD; Ryan Galer of Vermillion, SD; three great-grandsons, Jacob Roth, Logan Galer, and Riley Galer of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother, Chuck Langland (Sandy) of Windom; two brother-in-laws, Vernon Soltau of Windom and Sterling Bigbee of California; and many more relatives to numerous mention.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Bruce Langland; sister, Phyllis Ludvigson; and one sister-in-law, Betty Bigbee.
Tributes
"Vera and family - we are so sorry to hear of Ken's passing. Received a call from Bill Langland in Spokane on Saturday evening, 7/4, with the news. Our hearts go out to you. May you have comfort knowing that he doesn't hurt any more. Cousins Shirley & Donna"
"You will be missed Kenny!"
"Dear Vera and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Our memories go back to Wynne's Hardware, he sold Mark his first bike, me with Dad getting parts. His smile and laughter will always remain in our heart. He was one of the best and will be missed. He will smile over us always."
"Dave and Kay Teichroew"
"I think Lori Loken Cole said it best......I remember him when I was a little kid and he would fix our fishing rods. What an AWESOME role model!God Bless The Memory of Ken!"
"Vera and family. So sorry to hear about Ken passing away. Whenever I hear the term "Minnesota Nice", I think it came from someone who had met Ken. I remember him from working at the hardware stores and how it was always a pleasant experience. May the Good Lord comfort you in this time."
"vera and family, i am so sorry to hear of the death of ken. i always enjoys talking with him and bruce at family services. they did a great job out here for us. always so pleasant. you are all in my prayers and thoughts. pam ella"
"Kenny was a leader in the community in his own quiet way, his kind smile and cheerful hello and he almost always knew you name. Ken made you feel like you always had a friend and he will be missed"
"Family of Ken will greatly miss him. He was always helpful and very caring. You are in our prayers and may God comfort you in these sad times. "
"We extend to you our deepest sympathy. We will always remember Ken when he worked in the hardware stores. He always greeted us with a smile and asked about our health and our family. Although not directly related to us, he was considered a member of our extended family. May God be with you and bless you."
""
"Forgot to sign Pete Byam"
"Dear Vera and Family, I am at a loss of words to tell you how much a part of our lives Ken played. From Wynne's Hardware to retirement, he touch so many lives. Always friendly, always courtious, always interested in what you were doing and an never judgemental. I don't have to tell you that Ken was a good and decent man, one who through out his live gained the respect of everyone who knew him. What a treasure Windom has lost. We will all miss him. You have my deepest sympathy on his passing, we will not forget him."
"MY PRAYERS TO YOU VERA AND THE FAMILY. WHEN I THINK OF KENNY I AM ALWAYS UPLIFTED BY HIS CHARACTER. HE INSPIRED ME TO WANT TO BE A BETTER PERSON. THE PILLARS OF CHARACTER ARE TRUSTWORTHY, RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, FAIR, CARING AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP. KENNY WAS ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND IT SHOWED ABOVE ALL ELSE. HE WAS SO DEVOTED TO HIS FAMILY AND HE WAS SUCH A VERY KIND MAN. I ALWAYS GOT THE SENSE THAT HE KNEW "WHAT" AND "WHO" WALKED BESIDE HIM EVERY MOMENT OF HIS LIFE, AND WHILE WE MOURN THE LOSS OF OUR FRIEND I KNOW OTHERS ARE REJOICING TO MEET AND SEE HIM. GOD BLESS KENNY."