Roderick ""Rod"" Langer

Roderick L. ""Rod"" Langer, age 70, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Monday, May 9th following a brave battle with cancer. May 9th was a special day, his Mother's birthday. Rod was born July 24, 1940, the son of James and Lucille (Benesch) Langer in Columbus. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1958 until 1962. Rod was united in marriage to Rita A. Deppe August 10, 1963 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waterloo. He liked to play euchre, and was an avid Badger Football and Basketball fan. The true passion of his life was his family. He cherished his children and grandchildren, and loved spending time at Bernie and Darcy's pool, and enjoyed time with his grandchildren. Rod was employed for 35yrs with the Bruce Co., and took pride in the golf courses that they had designed and built. After his retirement from the Bruce Co. he worked at 2nd Seasons until Oct. 1, 2010 when he had to retire due to his illness. Rod is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Rita; his cherished daughters, Tammy R. (Rick) Ellis of Waterloo, Darcy L. (Bernie) Ellestad, Cottage Grove; and his treasured grandchildren, Travis R. Ellis, Taylor J. and Lexi R. Ellestad, two step-grandchildren, Jeremy and Jacqui, five step great-grandchildren, Easton, Cabella, Blake, Brenna, and Bryn. He is further survived by a brother, Bob Langer, of Marshall, a sister Kendra (Ken) DePrey of Madison, brother-in-law Bill Gritzmacher, sister-in-laws Ruth Sellnow, Loretta Hilgendorf, Lucille (Ken) Skalitzky, Jeanne (Bob) Crosby, and nieces, nephews, and many friends. Rod was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lucille Langer, and two sisters, Gwen Ryerson and Greta Langer. A visitation will be held from 4 until 7 pm on Friday, May 13, 2011 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, WI 53705. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 am on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, WI 53711, with visitation from 9am until the time of Mass. Rod will be laid to rest at Highland Memory Gardens. The family would like to thank Dr. Weigel and the staff of HospiceCare for their loving and compassionate care given to Rod the week that he spent there. They would also like to give heartfelt thanks to Estelle Walker for all of her help and also Fr. David Carrano for his comforting visits.

To Rod, Husband, Dad and Grandpa,
We love you very much, and we will never forget you. You will always be in our hearts.
'Should you go first and I remain there's one thing I'd have you do, walk slowly down that pathway for soon I'll follow you. I want you to know each step I take so that you may walk the same, for someday down that lonely road you'll hear me call your name.
Love, Rita