Leo William Langer Jr., commonly known as “Pappa” to his grandkids, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on May 1st , 2023, at the Menomonie Red Cedar Hospital with his loved ones at his side.

He was born in Red Wing, MN on July 8th, 1935, to Leo Langer Sr. and Christina Gutting. Leo joined the Navy on November 16th, 1958, where he worked as an Electrician and Fireman on a Mine Sweeper the USS Meadowlark. He used to tell everyone he knew he was on a “Wooden Ship”. Research shows he was not fibbing. He traveled to many ports and was especially fond of telling stories of his time in Italy, Guantanamo Bay, Charleston NWS, SC and Pensacola NAS, FL.

He was awarded an Honorable Discharge and a Good Conduct Medal for his service from active-duty service and spent the remainder of his reserve time in the National Guard at Hastings, MN.

After his service time Leo worked at the Stockyards in St. Paul, Hart Ski and then worked Security at the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant. Later he spent many years at Afton Ski Hill where he managed the chalets during the ski season and farms during the summer. Leo was always a hard worker and instilled that into his 3 children.

He left Afton when he met his Life Partner Marian Haberberg. There he worked until his retirement at the Elk Mound schools as a Custodian. In 2000 Leo invested his retirement into land in Dunn County outside of Sand Creek, WI. When he first saw it, he said it looked like a bomb had gone off, as the previous owner had just finished clearcutting it.

Through the years he spent a lot of time there with his son Jay putting in a mobile home always called the “Cabin”. No one other than Leo would have used an old pontoon to use as a deck. All the family and grandkids would spend numerous weekends, holidays, and hunting seasons there, have bomb fires and enjoy hunting with their Pappa. Leo enjoyed teaching the grandkids how to hunt and enjoy nature, animals, and the woods. His very first buck still hangs in the cabin to this day. He was sure proud of all his accomplishments.

Many times, Leo would drive his tractor from his Elk Mound home to the cabin. Temperature didn’t matter to him. He said he took it slow and steady. He always made it to his destination sooner or later.

Leo was always a happy guy. He loved feeding the deer and birds, even when the bear or raccoon would take down his bird feeders, he would cobble them back together and put them back up. He would spend many hours watching the deer come into the cabin.

He is survived by his Life Partner Marian Haberberg, her children Fred (Wendy) Haberberg and Zenna (Todd) Freezy. His children Scott (Dawn) Langer, Pam (Steve) Gehring and Jay (Becky) Langer, Grandchildren Kayla, Gabby (Derek), Chisty (Greg), Danny, Hannah, Ryan (Gracie), Miranda (Jonathan), Larissa (Jeremy). His Great Grandchildren Ashleigh, Zach, Waylon, Carson, Belle, Micah, Lucy and Elizabeth.

We will all miss and remember Leo knowing he is with his Granddaughter Ashley, and many of his family and friends. RIP Sailor, Son, Father, Uncle, Pappa and Friend.

A Celebration of Life is being held at the Emerald Greens Golf Course at 14425 Goodwin Ave, Hastings, MN 55033 on July 15th between 1-5 pm. All are welcome.

A burial with Military Honors will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN on June 21st, 2023. *Immediate Family Only*