Richard "Butch" Lang

Richard “Butch” Lang, 66 of Devils Lake, ND died on Thursday evening, May 29, 2008 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Richard will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Charles Leute, O.P. will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held on Monday at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Butch will be Brian Lang, Joel Wee, Richard Wee Jr., Billy Cavanaugh, Alton Abrahamson and Jadd Pisoni. Music will be provided by Patty Cote. Richard was born on August 29, 1941 at Fort Totten, ND the son of Frederick and Alvina (Dubois) Lang. He grew up and was educated in the St. Michael, ND area and attended the St. Michael Boarding School. On November 20, 1959, Richard enlisted in the United States Army and served his country as a member of Company C 299th Engineering Battalion in Germany. He was honorably discharged from active duty on November 9, 1962 at Fort Hamilton, New York but remained with the Army Reserves until November of 1965. While serving in Germany, Richard met the love of his life, Karin Keller and they were united in marriage on February 6, 1963 at Finley, North Dakota. They established their home in Lakota for a short time, then moved to Kirkland, Washington where Richard worked for Boeing Aircraft. In 1970, they returned to North Dakota and made their home in Doyon, ND. For the next seventeen years, Richard worked for Twin City Construction and in 1987, Richard and his son, Jim became the owners and operators of Lang Construction. In 1990, Richard and Karin moved to Devils Lake where they have continued to make their home through the years and continued to be a part of Lang Construction. Butch loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. While living in Washington they especially loved camping as a family. To say that Richard loved to follow his sons in school sports may be an understatement, as Richard many times watched their practice sessions as well. He was always their greatest supporter and fan. Butch continued to enjoy watching all sports through the years. Richard was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by those who have loved and cared for him through the years. Richard is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Karin Sons: James “Jim” Lang and his wife, Tabitha of Devils Lake Jason Lang of Grand Forks, ND Grandchildren: Monique Tweet, Richard Lee Lang, Rebecca Lang, Lexi Lang and Bailey Lang. Mother: Alvina Lang of Devils Lake Sisters: Rosemary Wee, Patricia Wee and her husband, Richard “Dick” all of Devils Lake; Linda Abrahamson and her husband, Alton of Maddock, ND; Brother: Walter “Tubby” Lang and his wife, Bonnie also of Devils Lake. Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Lang; daughter, Debra Lang and brothers, Donald, Jerry and Frank Lang.