Henry John Langebartels

Henry Langebartels, 71, of Lacona, Iowa passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Resurrection for Henry will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Melcher-Dallas. A visitation will be held the evening prior, September 5, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. also at the church. Memorials may be made in care of Henry’s family to help with medical expenses.

As a man of great Faith, Henry put God first in his life followed by the enduring love for his wife, Chris, and his entire family, and then the love for the Heritage farm that has been in the family since 1856. Henry has left a Legacy of Love for his family to remember and live by. He taught his children and grandchildren the importance of faith and to not use the Lord’s name in vain, to work hard and fight for everything that is important. Henry’s life was blessed by God in many ways. First to be raised on the farm, school was tough because while he was sitting at his desk as a teenager, he was planning what needed to be done on the farm, God led him to the life of a farmer. And he was blessed again when he met his wife at a disco, six weeks later they were married. During 43 years of marriage, he was blessed with a large family: 5 children and 19 grandchildren; along with all his extended family of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins (including Aunt Belle Bingham’s boys who were always considered his brothers rather than cousins), nieces, and nephews. He was blessed when during some of the hardest days of the farm crisis, he and Chris decided to fight for the farm. They were blessed with meeting the right people to guide them in the right direction to save the family farm. Henry was blessed with a second career after retiring and drove the bus for Melcher-Dallas. He loved the kids and talked about this just about as much as he did farming. Henry found the good in everyone and taught his kids about forgiveness and that there is always time to help others. Even as his health failed, he was always concerned about Chris, but he knew family would rally and take care of each other. In his final days, he was able to be at home looking out the window at the beautiful view across the fields, watching a tractor go by, and knowing that his entire family was able to gather in a home that he made for gathering to celebrate family.

Henry will be greatly missed by his wife, Chris; children: Chad (Bethany) Langebartels of Altoona, Courtney (Curt) Seddon of Melcher-Dallas, Matthew (Heather) Langebartels of Lakeville, MN, Luke Langebartels of Lacona, and Amy (Sam) Clark of Meridian, MS; 19 grandchildren: Caleb, Brody, Norah, Kaylee, Jayden, Miley, Alexa, Malachi, Elijah, Hadassah, Prestin, Annabelle, Ethan, Sam Jr., Bradley, Tristan, Kaydance, Sam, and Shelby; sisters: Mary (Melvin) Moon and Judy (Claire) Dittmer; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnie and Guyola Langebartels.

Henry will be greatly missed by his wife, Chris; children: Chad (Bethany) Langebartels of Altoona, Courtney (Curt) Seddon of Melcher-Dallas, Matthew (Heather) Langebartels of Lakeville, MN, Luke Langebartels of Lacona, and Amy (Sam) Clark of Meridian, MS; 19 grandchildren: Caleb, Brody, Norah, Kaylee, Jayden, Miley, Alexa, Malachi, Elijah, Hadassah, Prestin, Annabelle, Ethan, Sam Jr., Bradley, Tristan, Kaydance, Sam, and Shelby; sisters: Mary (Melvin) Moon and Judy (Claire) Dittmer; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnie and Guyola Langebartels.