Edward Elroy Langerak, 79 of Bemidji died Thursday, April 5, 2012.

There will be a informal visitation/Celebration of Life from 1-4pm, Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Old Lavinia Store. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Bemidji, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

He was born January 16, 1933 to George and Clara (Paulson) Langerak in Bemidji, the 2nd of 4 children. He attended Bemidji High School until he enlisted in the Navy at 17 during the Korean War. He served on the destroyer the USS Bearss. After his discharge he attended Dunwoody Institute for Auto Mechanics. In 1957 he married Jane Hoven. They had 4 children; Dan, Penny, Susan and Amy. He worked for the Minnesota State Highway Department from 1956-59 in Crookston and in the St. Paul Park from 1960-62. He returned to Bemidji and owned Phillips 66 Station with is brothers. He worked for Dave Walter as a mechanic for 4 years and in the mid 70’s he purchased the Lavinia Store and opened Ed’s Lavinia Repair. In 1980 he wife Jane passed away. He married Mary Edward in 1981. He continued operating Ed’s Lavinia Repair until his retirement in 1996. For the last several years he wintered in Huachuca City, AZ. He was involved with many groups and organizations; including the archery club, gun club, antique car club, Goldwing club and North Country Snowmobile Club where he was a past president and was maintenance super. He was currently a member of the American Legion and Lifetime Member of the Beltrami Humane Society. He enjoyed snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, motorcycling, RVing, building a 1953 MG kit car, golfing, hunting, and being with his friends, family and his cocker spaniels.

He is survived by wife Mary of Bemidji; son Dan (Beth) Langerak of Kansas City, MO; daughters Penny (Mark) Erhart of Olathe, KS, Susan (David) Lindbom of Avon, MN and Amy (Mark) Thorson of Bemidji; siblings, James (Millie) Langerak of Bemidji, Gordon (Wanda) Langerak of Bellingham, WA and Joan (David) Allen of Laporte; 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Jane.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.

Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.