Obituary of Ernie Langfitt

Services will be held on Friday, November 22, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the Ocheyedan United Methodist Church in Ocheyedan, Iowa for Mr. Ernie Langfitt. Burial will follow at the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery in Ocheyedan. Visitation will be after 3 PM on Thursday, November 21, 2013 with the family present from 5-7 PM at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford, Iowa. Ernest "Ernie" William Langfitt was born on February 8, 1948 in Spencer, Iowa to Albert and Frances (Koenck) Langfitt. He was the fourth of eleven children. He lived his early childhood in Emmetsburg, Iowa and surrounding area. In his early youth his family relocated to Ocheyedan, Iowa and later Harris, Iowa. Ernie was baptized in the Zion Lutheran Church of Ocheyedan, Iowa in February of 1959. He was a member of the Ocheyedan United Methodist Church and most recently transferred membership to the Calvary United Methodist Church of Arnolds Park, Iowa. Ernie dropped out of school in his senior year to seek employment to help support his family. He received his GED in the military and later received an Associate Arts Degree in business. Ernie was drafted into the United States Army in November of 1967. He served a tour of duty in the Vietnam War from April of 1968 to April of 1969 and received an Honorable Discharge in November of 1969. Upon discharge from the service, he obtained employment in the warehouse at Berkley & Company in Spirit Lake and worked his way up to warehouse manager. He left Berkley for a quality control position at John Morrell & Company in Estherville, Iowa. Upon the closing of the Morrell plant, he then worked temporary jobs in construction until finding employment at what is now known as United Farmers Cooperative. He was with United Farmers Cooperative for twenty six years where he retired from the position as branch manager of the Allendorf, Iowa location in February of 2010. Ernie was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Lee Siemers, on April 11, 1968. A week later, his feet landed on the soil of Vietnam, where he served his country with honor. Upon discharge, he and Cheryl resided in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Ernie and Cheryl were the proud parents of three children; Lenae Lee Langfitt, Chad Ernest Langfitt and Eric William Langfitt. They moved their family to Ocheyedan, Iowa, where they resided until November of 2011, when the couple moved to their current home in Milford. Ernie enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage, poker and pinochle. Most family gatherings included a few rounds of cards. Ernie enjoyed playing pool, bowling, golf and fishing. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye, Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan. He enjoyed watching the History Channel, Food Network and anything sports. He was on a men's bowling league for many years and he and his wife were also on a mixed couples league for several years. He enjoyed many hours playing pool in the pool hall in his teen years and was also a member of a pool league for several years. Most recently, he put a pool table in the game room of his home and enjoyed teaching the grandchildren how to play and sharing the game with family. He also had a coin collection and lighter collection. He enjoyed looking for those treasures at flea markets. His greatest passions were his grandchildren and their activities. He treasured every opportunity with each and every one. His latest "pride and joy" was his red Mustang convertible and going for rides with the "lid down." He will always be remembered for his humor, wit and smile. Ernie passed away Monday, November 18, 2013 at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, Iowa at sixty-five years of age. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Lenae (David) Rubis and their children, Graycen and Emery; sons, Chad (Sarah) Langfitt and their children, Maddison Remington, Kylie Langfitt-Nagel, Isaiah Langfitt, Marvis Langfitt and Mclain Langfitt, and Eric Langfitt and special friend, Abriel Dean, and children, Erik Dean and Chenae Langfitt. Also survivng are siblings, Arlene Kempf, Alberta (Bill) Hansen, Leonard (Judy) Langfitt, James Langfitt, Richard Langfitt, Allan Langfitt and Shirley Toponce. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Frances Langfitt, brothers, Herman Langfitt, Eugene Langfitt, John Langfitt, sister-in-law Lynda Langfitt, brothers-in-law Ned Toponce, Steve Dille and Alan Siemers, mother and father-in-law, Arnold and Melba Siemers and nephew, Jeffrey Siemers.