Father Thomas Edward Langer

ROCK FALLS -- Father Thomas Edward Langer, 74, of Rock Falls, died Friday, Aug. 20, 2004, at home.

He was born on Nov. 7, 1929, in Eau Claire, to Edward and Marie (Buehler) Langer. He attended St. Patrick's grade school and St. Patrick's High School in Eau Claire. He attended St. Lawrence College in Mount Calvary, St. Francis Major Seminary in Milwaukee, and the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. He was ordained on May 19, 1956, at Christ the King Chapel at Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse by the Most Reverend John P. Treacy.

Father Langer's first assignment following ordination was as Assistant Pastor at Holy Trinity Parish and as a part time instructor at Aquinas High School in La Crosse. The following year he was assigned to be a full-time instructor at Aquinas High School and the Chaplain for Aquinas Convent. In 1964, he became a full-time instructor at Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids. In 1966, he was also assigned as Assistant Pastor at Saint Alexander Parish in Port Edwards and Administrator of All Saints Parish in Babcock. Father Langer was then assigned to be a full-time instructor at Columbus High School as well as Assistant Chaplain at Saint Joseph Hospital, both in Marshfield, in 1970. From 1971 to 1975, he served as Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish in Rock Falls. He was then assigned as Pastor of Holy family Parish in Poniatowski and principal of Newman High School in Wausau.

In 1979, Father Langer was granted permission to serve outside the Diocese of La Crosse as principal of Parkersburg Catholic High School in Parkersburg, W. Va. Father Langer returned to the Diocese of La Crosse in 1983 to be Pastor of Saint Paul Parish in Bloomer and as Parochial Administrator of Saint Jude Parish in New Auburn, where he served until 1999. In 1985, he also served as temporary Parochial Administrator of Saint John the Baptist Parish in Cooks Valley. In 1999 Father Langer was assigned as Pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Gays Mills and Saint Philip Parish in Rolling Ground. In July of 2003, he was assigned as Chaplain for the Benedictine Sisters at Saint Bede Monastery in Eau Claire. In February 2003, he served as Principal at Regis High School in Eau Claire. On Feb. 5, 2003, he was granted the status of senior priest. Father Langer had been residing at Saint Joseph Rectory in Rock Falls.

Father Langer served as Assistant Pastor at Holy Trinity, La Crosse; St. Johns in La Crosse; SS Peter & Paul in Wisconsin Rapids; Administrator of All Saints Parish in Babcock; Administrator of St. Josephs Parish, Rock Falls; Administrator/Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Poniatowski; Pastor at St. Pauls Catholic Church in Bloomer and Administrator of St. Judes Church in New Auburn; temporary Administrator at St. Johns in Cooks Valley; Assistant Pastor of St. Margaret Marys Parish in Parkersburg, W. Va.; Former State Chaplain of Catholic War Veterans; State Chaplain of BPOE; contributing editor to OUR SUNDAY VISITOR; author of CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE- A GUIDE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE; free lance writer since 1956 for various church and secular publications.

He is survived by: three sisters, Lois Strauss of Rego Park, N.Y., Theo McDade of Royal Oak, Mich., and Bette Williams of Rocklin, Calf.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He is preceded in death by: his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rock Falls with Reverend Henry Hoerburger officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Patricks Cemetery in Eau Claire.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24 at St. Josephs Church where there will be a 7 p.m. public prayer service, and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.

Offer online condolences at obituaries at www.goldenfuneralhome.com <" class="obit-text-link">http://www.goldenfuneralhome.com/>

Golden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.