Leslie Gene Langseth

On September 11, 2023, Leslie (Les) Gene Langseth passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Pelican Valley Nursing home in Pelican Rapids, MN. He was 86 years old.

Les is survived by his wife Geraldine Langseth, his two children Lee (Vina) Langseth, Lynne (Corey) Stockstad and his three grandchildren Logan Langseth, Sam (Abby) Stockstad, Noelle (Ryan) Ames and three great-grandchildren Rogan, Palmer, and Easton Ames; sister-in-law Paulette (Chet) Nettestad; niece Kristin (Dave) Grommesh and their children; Gavin and Collin and niece Shonda (Adam) Chwialkowski and their children; AJ and Hope.  He was preceded in death by his parents Lillard and Lorena Langseth.

Les was born June 14, 1937, in Pelican Rapids, MN. He graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1955 as the salutatorian and received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1960. He continued his education with a master’s degree in engineering Applied Science in 1966 from University of California – Davis.

Les married Geraldine Bowers on June 18, 1960, also of Pelican Rapids, MN. They were high school sweethearts starting to date after participating in the school play together. They enjoyed 63 wonderful and adventurous years of marriage.

Throughout his 20-year military officer career, Les was focused on the cold war with Russia and resisting the advancement of communism throughout the world. He specialized in the Army Corp of Engineers with assignments in Fulda, Germany; Livermore, CA; West Point, NY; Langdon/Nekoma, ND; Albuquerque, NM; and Shape, Belgium. Les was also deployed to Thailand in 1966 and South Vietnam in 1969 -1970. While in Nekoma, he was the military officer in charge of building the pyramid which operated as the Safeguard Complex Missile Site Radar. Receiving recognition with several honorary medals for exceptional service and noted throughout his career for his keen intellect and technical competence, Les retired from the Army in June 1980 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Upon moving back to Minnesota, Les obtained a position in the NDSU Industrial Engineering Department where he taught for 14 years before finally retiring for good to his Lake Lida home in July of 1994. During retirement, Les enjoyed entertaining his extended family including three grandchildren and all the year-round outdoor activities at Lake Lida, MN. He enjoyed many hobbies including building purple martin houses, nature photography, target shooting, WWII history, Astronomy, and crafting wooden pens. Over the years, Les also served on the endowment committee for his church and was a helpful advisor and faithful prayer warrior for his wife’s many civic activities including the Welcome Place.

Memorials preferred to the Trinity Lutheran General Fund.

Visitation: Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 1:00-2:00 p.m.at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, MN. 

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, MN with Pastor Eric Schwirian and Allen Westby, S.A.M. officiating.

Interment: 4:00p.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Pelican Valley Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota with Military Honors conducted by American Legion Post #17 and Pelican Rapids V.F.W. Post #5252.

Please keep Les's family in your thoughts and prayers.