Langer, Helen (Lohrmann) 1920-2006
LANGER, LOHRMANN, OTT, MCGUIRE, BUTLER, BIRKS, BODENSCHATZ
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/21/2012 at 17:09:04
Helen Langer, age 86, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, November 10, 2006, at her home from cancer.
A memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church, Decorah, on Saturday, November 18, at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Marion Pruitt - Miller officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 604 West Broadway, Decorah, IA 52101, or the Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101.
There will be no visitation. The Schluter - Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, is in charge of local arrangements. It was Helen's wish to be donated to the University of Iowa.
Helen was born on September 18, 1920, to the Rev. Karl and Jeannette (Ott) Lohrmann in Lemont, Illinois. She attended Lutheran parochial and public schools in Lemont, Berwyn and Cicero Illinois, graduating from Morton Junior College in 1939. She studied voice at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and sang for the rest of her life. Choral work included founding and directing five youth and adult groups over the years, and enthusiastic participation in Chicago's Bach Chorus, Swedish Choral Club, and Chicago Symphony Chorus under Margaret Hillis and Fritz Reiner. Helen worked in the Treasury Department of International Harvester Company in Chicago for six years. She married Edward E. Langer on June 21, 1945, in Long Beach, Cal., where Ed was on leave in the US Navy. Helen and Ed had three children: Richard, Jane and Mary. They resided in suburban Chicago. In 1972, Helen and Ed retired to Lansing, Iowa, to enjoy life near the Mississippi River. Helen was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing. In 2001, they moved to Vennehjem in Decorah. She loved her friends at Vennehjem and First Lutheran Church in Decorah.
Helen is survived by her husband, Edward E. Langer, 89, Decorah. One son: Richard (Christelle) Langer, Minneapolis, Minn. Two daughters: Jane (David) McGuire, Albuquerque, N.M., and Mary (Van) Butler, Durango, Colo. Six grandchildren: Sara and Karin Langer; Maxwell, Charles and Caitlin McGuire; and Kevan (Melissa) Butler. One great granddaughter: Meghan Butler. One sister: Ruth Birks, 95, Madison, Wis. One brother: Karl (Lois) Lohrmann, Jr., 84, Lisle, Ill.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Eloise Bodenschatz and Norma Lohrmann.
As the centerpiece of her life, her faith and love of Christ gave her joy and enriched her relationships with family, friends, music, gardening, flower arranging, travel, good books and poetry, journaling, homemaking and entertaining. A loving wife, mother, and friend, she was joyful and grateful for her blessed life. The example of her life will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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