Donald R. Langel

Donald R. Langel, 83, of Luck, Wisconsin passed away at Regions Hospital on Thursday, October 05, 2017 from injuries he sustained in an ATV accident on September 24, 2017.  Don was born on September 6, 1934 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin the son of Edward J. and Jessie Rae (Smith) Langel and later moved to Lewis and Amery, Wisconsin.  He spent his career as a Union Electrician.  He spent many years mostly with Northern Electricians and Hansen Electric.

Don married Clarice Johansen of Milltown on June 8, 1957. To this union four children were born, Jim, Ann, Kay and Gail.

He worked as a mechanic for Russ Laursen and started racing in his early 20’s.  He started racing 50’s and 60’s coupes in Milltown, Wisconsin.  Later, he was a driver and mechanic on sprint cars that raced at Twin Cities Speedway, Cedar Lake Speedway, the Minnesota State Fair and race tracks in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Regina, Saskatchewan and Fargo, North Dakota.

He loved snowmobiling and grooming the trails.  He was a founding member of the Luck ATV Club and an avid advocate for ATV access to county and village streets and roads.

He was a long-time member of the Luck Lions Club.  He was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus and was Grand Knight for Council 6370 for three years. 

He participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Snow Tour for at least 25 years.

Don received many awards and recognitions, including the outstanding involvement award for volunteer snowmobile safety instruction.  He served as an instructor for 40 years.  He was honored by the state of Wisconsin as a charter member of the first snowmobile club in Polk County.  He was also honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow for the Lions Club International.

Don was also on the parish council of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Frederic as well as chairing many committees for its church festival for 52 years.

Don was an endless giver of any spare time he had to the Lions, Knights, the ATV Club, snowmobile safety, the Luck Town Board and the entire Community.

He lived life to the fullest and above all else, he did it his way.

Celebration of Life for Don will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at the Luck Lions Club Hall formerly the Danish Brotherhood Hall, 300 First Street, Luck, Wisconsin.  Please do not send flowers to the Lions Club Hall.  Please send flowers to the church for Monday.

Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 9, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Frederic.  107 W. Birch Street.  Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

Don will be laid to rest at St. Dominic Catholic Cemetery in Frederic following the Mass.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry Spies, Don Supinski, Jim Schommer, Jack Fjorden, Bill Johnson and Max Littlefield.   Please join the family for lunch and fellowship at the church after the cemetery service.

Don leaves to celebrate his memory: daughter, Ann Langel, (husband, Kevin Pachucki), Madison, WI; daughter, Kay Langel, Siren, WI and daughter, Gail (Nathan) Hibbs, Dickinson, ND; grandchildren, Tatia, Logan, Jeret and Mason Hibbs all of Dickinson, ND, sister, Virginia Johnson, St. Croix Falls, WI, nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Jessie Langel, wife, Clarice, son Jim and brothers, Dick and Bob Langel.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.

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