Racheal Irene Langstaff

Racheal I. Langstaff, 69 of Devils Lake, ND died on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at her home. Funeral Services for Racheal will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Devils Lake. Pastor Dave Fix will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Honorary Bearers will be all members of the Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Devils Lake. Music will be provided by the Bethel Choir with Michelle Herman, pianist Racheal Irene was born on April 23, 1941 at Shipman, Illinois, the daughter of Charles Byron and Wilma (Crocker) Kirby. She was reared and educated in Litchfield, Illinois graduating from Litchfield High School with the class of 1960. Racheal was united in marriage to Dale Williams in May of 1962. They made their home in Mississippi for several years and eventually, Racheal moved to North Dakota. Racheal married Edward Langstaff in July of 1974 and they made their home in the Lake Region area. Racheal attended Lake Region State College and received her Licensed Practical Nurse degree in 1980. She worked in nursing at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, St. Jude’s Home in Fort Totten and also the Good Samaritan Center in Devils Lake. She returned to college, attending Little Hoop Community College in Fort Totten where she earned an Associates of Arts degree in Office Education and a Secretarial certificate. In the 1990’s Racheal earned an Associates of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Her love of knowledge and education was second to her love of family and children and she was a Foster Parent for many children of the Spirit Lake Nation for many years. Racheal was a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church. In Racheal’s free time, she enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, reading, playing Yahtzee with her family and friends. She treasured her time with her grandchildren most of all. Racheal is survived by her children: Steven Langstaff and his wife, Amy of Fargo, ND, Timothy Williams and his wife Cyndy of Ocean Springs, Maryland, Thomas Williams and his wife Lucille of Memphis, Tennessee and Michelle and her husband, John Vercher of D’Iberville, Mississippi; step-children Melvin P. Langstaff and his wife Laura and Eleanor and her husband Conrad Cavanaugh all of Woodlake, ND and George Langstaff and his wife Tami of Austin Minnesota; adopted children Donna M. Langstaff and Joshua J. Langstaff; There are twenty-seven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren; sisters Beverly and her husband John Deaton of Litchfield, Illinois, Jacqueline and her husband Larry McCallister of Grand Island, Florida, Penny and her husband Rick Creasey of Chatham, Illinois; brother Joseph Novy and his wife Kathy of San Antonio, Texas; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Racheal was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter Sharla Beth Williams and brother Byron Ray Kirby.