Norbert John Langer

Norbert J. LangerAge 94,Green Bay, WI
Day & Date Death: Wednesday, December 1, 2021  

“Your way, Lord”. These three words gave Norbert peace and purpose during the final years of his life. At age 94, after six years of prayer, community and service, he made his promises as a lay Carmelite. Norbert said, “The Lord gave me extra time and a message to improve my spiritual life. It was a gift to become a Carmelite.”  

Norbert was born in Two Rivers, WI on December 17, 1926. His parents were Edward and Rose Langer.  Edward and his brother, Frank, owned Langer Brothers Garage in Two Rivers, where Norbert and his brothers, Edward and Paul, worked at an early age.  

He graduated from Washington High School, Two Rivers, class of 1944.  There he met his wife, Vivian, daughter of Twin Rivers Lighthouse Keeper, Charles Linsmeier.  They were married on January 24, 1948 and were blessed with eight children, many grandchildren, and great grandchildren during their 67-year marriage: 

David and Laura Langer, FL children April Gibson (husband Patrick, children Anna, Sophia); Sarah Zeske (husband Tom, children Nicole, Cassie, Tommy, Tiana), Rachael Rhodes (child Drew lV), Joy Wood (deceased husband Avery); Carol Langer, MN and Diane Knust; Mary and deceased husband Tom Mitchell, WI children Matthew Mitchell, (wife Flor, child Illari), Daniel Mitchell (wife Andrea, children Anya, Aria); Lauren Star, MN children Kristen Noack (husband Marc, child Emily), Jacob Noack (wife Lauren, children Logan, Colton), Katie Posey (husband Brandon, children Lebron, Patrick, Jalen); Bruce and Jean Langer TN children Jennifer Downs (husband Michael and children Hudson, Owen), Jessica Langer (husband Neal); Anne and Aaron Vanden Avond, WI children, David Vanden Avond (wife Heidi, children Rudy, Austin, Skyla, Finn), Rory Vanden Avond (wife Amber, children Zoey, Ozzie, Eliza), Mark Vanden Avond (wife Brooke); Andrew and Cathleen Langer, TX children Amy Kimlinger, (husband Rob), Kari (husband Jeriahme, children Cade, Caleb), Brandon Langer; Therese  and Andy Woelfel, WI, children Ryan Woelfel (wife Stephanie children Ashlynn, Brynlee, Charlyze), Cody Woelfel, Kelsey Lenss (husband Adam children Rowen, Rylee); Jami La Haye.  

From age five, Norbert had an interest in aviation.  While serving in the Air Force, as a mechanic, he was assigned to a crew on a DC4 whose mission, toward the end of WWII, was to repair airplanes and fly them out. They closed bases in Paris, Rome, Ciaro, Athens, Karatchie, and Calcutta.  After his discharge, Norbert learned to fly at the Manitowoc airport and earned his pilots and mechanics licenses to begin his career in aviation. He flew as co-pilot mechanic for Kimberly Clark Corporation and in 1951 was hired by American Airlines.  He started on propeller driven airplanes and in 1960 he helped to introduce jets to airline service. Norbert worked for American Airlines for 35 years and was a flight instructor for AAL for two years. During his 24,000+ total hours of flying time with American Airlines, Norbert flew the Convair 240, DC4, DC6-DC7, Convair 990, Boeing 707-727, DC10, Boeing 747, and Lockheed Electra.  

Norbert taught his daughter, Ruth, and two of his sons, David and Bruce, to fly. Both sons became commercial airline pilots. After their children were educated and on their own, Vivian and Norbert traveled together extensively to many destinations including Rio de Janeiro, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico, London, Paris, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Panama Canal, Honolulu, Maui, Mexico and Alaska - 10 times. Throughout their marriage, they lived in Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, Texas and Florida, although Lakewood, WI always felt like their family home, as they owned a cottage on Maiden Lake for over 31 years and eventually built a home on the Lakewood Airpark. They lived in airparks in Texas, Florida, and Wisconsin. 

For seven years, Norbert and Vivian monitored 150 bluebird nest boxes for the forestry department and for 20 years they managed the logging camp museum for the Lion’s Club and the Oconto County Historical Society.  

In Norbert’s early days with American Airlines, Chief Pilot - Jim Boyd, told Norb “whatever happens, fly the biggest piece you have left.” A week after that conversation, they flew together. While in flight, a 2’x16’ door flew off the belly of the plane. Jim turned to Norb and said, “fly the biggest piece you have left”. Together they made a safe emergency landing.  

Since that day, Norbert believed that when flying, and in life, you should always fly the biggest piece you have left. He proved this, as he became the caregiver for Vivian during her final 10 years. As her health failed, they made new choices together. They focused on what she had left, not what she had lost.   

Norbert is survived by his sister, Laurene Peterson. Norbert was preceded in death by his mother Rose, father Edward, brother Edward, sister Dorothy, brother Paul, sisters-in-law, Lorraine Langer, Patty Langer, Ruth Langer, Judy Schubert, and Marlene Linsmeier, and brothers-in-law Edward Connelly, Charles Peterson, Charles Linsmeier, and son-in-law Tom Mitchell. 

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Chaplain Nathan, Nurse Lisa, Social Worker Kathy, and the entire Unity Hospice staff for their compassionate care of Norbert and his family. We wish to thank the Bellevue Senior Living team (affectionally called “Team Norbert”) for easing his earthly journey and his transition to heaven. Warm appreciation to Father Jim Feely, Resurrection Parish, and Amy Rosteing, St. Joseph Carmelite Community Formation Director, for your unfailing guidance and support throughout his faith journey.  

We know Norbert is excited to be reunited with Vivian in heaven. Your way, Lord. 

Friends are invited to gather with the family on Tuesday, December 14 at Resurrection Catholic Parish from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with Military Honors to follow. Burial will be in Lakewood, WI at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church at 10:30 on December 15. Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family with arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests support for Unity Hospice of Northeast Wisconsin.