Cathy Langemo

Cathy A. Langemo, 75, passed away on December 15, 2025, at her home in Bismarck. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, December 26 at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck. Family will greet guests one hour prior.

Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

Born on May 24, 1950, to Curtis and Geraldine Herman, Cathy was the first of five children. She attended several schools in North Dakota and graduated from Fingal High School in 1968. Following high school, Cathy enrolled at Valley City State College. She later attended Bismarck Junior College, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. Cathy continued her post-secondary education at the University of North Dakota, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science degree in English and Journalism, with a minor in Women’s Studies.

In 1970 Cathy married Larry Langemo. Over the next five years they lived in several states as well as West Germany where Larry served in the Navy. Cathy and Larry had two sons – Brian and Barrett. In 1976 Cathy and her sons moved to Bismarck, and she went to work for Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Cathy remained with Basin Electric for 14 years. Cathy was also employed for a number of years as an administrative assistant with the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. In later years she was employed part-time by Bismarck Parks & Recreation at the Elks Pool.

In 1990 Cathy transitioned into a career in the writing and publishing field. She worked for a time in Colorado before returning to Bismarck, where she lived until her passing. She worked with a number of publications as both an employee and as a contracted self-employed owner of WritePlus, Inc. Eventually she began doing research in the field of genealogy for herself and for clients. She co-authored “Finding Your Dakota Roots,” a guide to ancestry research. Cathy continued in that field until shortly before her death. It was during this time that Cathy remarried, exchanging vows with Rick Knudson in 1993. Cathy and Rick made their home in Bismarck and later divorced.

Cathy’s interests and hobbies were varied, and they were often connected to her love of writing and research. That led to a natural transition to participation and leadership with a number of organizations, including the Bismarck-Mandan Historical and Genealogical Society, the BSC Alumni Association, the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation, Business & Professional Women, North Dakota Library Association, and the Bismarck and North Dakota Jaycees. Cathy was a volunteer at the North Dakota Heritage Center and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.

Cathy is survived by her son, Barrett; sisters, Sherry Herman (Bob Eriksen), Becky Kraft (Lyle Kraft), and Connie Herman (Brad Rinas); brother, Curt Herman (Janet Herman); grandchildren, Kade Langemo, Riley Langemo, Marley Langemo, Kieler Langemo, Alison Langemo, and David Fitzgerald; as well as many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Gerry, and by her son Brian.