Donald "Slim" Keith Langer
October 7, 1929 — May 4, 2019
Donald Keith "Slim" Langer was born to Esther (Jacobsen) and Milton Langer on October 7, 1929 at their home in Minden, Iowa. He attended country schools in Minden, Walnut, Avoca and Hancock. He graduated from Avoca High School in 1947. He played football and baseball, and his high school football coach nicknamed him "Slim." One of his classmates, Betty Carroll, was the love of his life. They were united in marriage on December 27, 1947 at the First Lutheran Church in Avoca, while Don was home on furlough from the Army Air Corp (Air Force). They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary shortly before Betty passed away in 2002.
Slim was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca and served on the Church Council. He was a member of the American Legion in Avoca for over 50 years and served as Commander. He also served on the Pottawattamie County Fair Board. He was a member of the Elks Club in Atlantic as well as being an active member of the National Farmers' Organization.
After Slim was discharged from the Air Force, he and Betty lived west of Hancock where he worked as a hired hand for Oliver Nicolai. After that, they moved to a farm near Walnut, and Slim worked as a hired hand for Pat Sievers. In 1957, they moved to a farm east of Hancock, where he started farming on his own. In 1972, he bought a farm west of Avoca and continued farming that ground until he retired in 2002. He moved to the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Facility in July of 2016.
Slim has always been known for his distinctive laugh. He was a hard working farmer - endlessly fixing machinery, welding, baling hay, and feeding cattle, in addition to the day-to-day duties on the farm. In his spare time, he thoroughly enjoyed playing pool and cards and was very accomplished at both (sometimes accused of being a shark)!. Maybe his love of gambling correlated well with being a farmer! He was extremely optimistic and had a sharp wit - in general, a very likable guy! Many have described him as "one of a kind."
Slim passed away peacefully on May 4, 2019 at the Avoca Nursing & Rehab Center, having attained the age of 89 years, six months and 27 days. He can now rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord for eternity. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty, and brother, Robert.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his sons: Doug Langer of Shelby, and Dennis (Penny) Langer of Hancock; and his daughters: Laurie (Craig) Tietjen of Lawrence, Kansas, and Lynette Langer of Avoca; eight grandchildren - Dawn Breaman, Brian (Jen) Langer, Misty (Ben) Tornblom, Brandt (Heidi) Langer, Kelsey (Blake) Peterson, Brooke (Tom) Lewis, Blair (Peter) Chen, Parker Tietjen - and twenty great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Slim was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca and served on the Church Council. He was a member of the American Legion in Avoca for over 50 years and served as Commander. He also served on the Pottawattamie County Fair Board. He was a member of the Elks Club in Atlantic as well as being an active member of the National Farmers' Organization.
After Slim was discharged from the Air Force, he and Betty lived west of Hancock where he worked as a hired hand for Oliver Nicolai. After that, they moved to a farm near Walnut, and Slim worked as a hired hand for Pat Sievers. In 1957, they moved to a farm east of Hancock, where he started farming on his own. In 1972, he bought a farm west of Avoca and continued farming that ground until he retired in 2002. He moved to the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Facility in July of 2016.
Slim has always been known for his distinctive laugh. He was a hard working farmer - endlessly fixing machinery, welding, baling hay, and feeding cattle, in addition to the day-to-day duties on the farm. In his spare time, he thoroughly enjoyed playing pool and cards and was very accomplished at both (sometimes accused of being a shark)!. Maybe his love of gambling correlated well with being a farmer! He was extremely optimistic and had a sharp wit - in general, a very likable guy! Many have described him as "one of a kind."
Slim passed away peacefully on May 4, 2019 at the Avoca Nursing & Rehab Center, having attained the age of 89 years, six months and 27 days. He can now rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord for eternity. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty, and brother, Robert.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his sons: Doug Langer of Shelby, and Dennis (Penny) Langer of Hancock; and his daughters: Laurie (Craig) Tietjen of Lawrence, Kansas, and Lynette Langer of Avoca; eight grandchildren - Dawn Breaman, Brian (Jen) Langer, Misty (Ben) Tornblom, Brandt (Heidi) Langer, Kelsey (Blake) Peterson, Brooke (Tom) Lewis, Blair (Peter) Chen, Parker Tietjen - and twenty great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
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