Kenneth Allen Langel

Ken Langel, age 67, of Galva, Iowa died April 15, 2025 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral services will take place Monday, April 21, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Summit Evangelical Free Church in Alta. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the CHURCH. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. in McCook Cemetery in Jefferson, South Dakota. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Kenneth Allen Langel was born January 31, 1958 in LeMars, Iowa to Davis and Evelyn Langel, the fourth of six children. Ken attended Merrill Elementary School and graduated from Sioux City North High School. After high school, Ken worked at the meat packing plant in Denison in the maintenance department. He attended WIT college in Sioux City, where he studied refrigeration. He later attended college at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Denison to acquire his electrician degree. He then moved to Ricketts, Iowa. After college, Ken enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. Ken was united in marriage to Ruth (Feenstra) Miller on July 17, 2002 at Galva United Methodist Church. Ken welcomed Ruth’s three children as his own: Jason, Jenny, and Justin. Throughout his life, Ken worked many different jobs. In California, he helped to build swimming pools. Ken loved animals and horse racing, so he thoroughly enjoyed his next job caring for racehorses. This was followed by a job working with his dad remodeling houses. Most recently, Ken worked as a power washer, construction, electrician and “deck-in-a-day” installer. He could fix most anything and would never say no to helping with projects. While Ken was certainly a jack of all trades, his most important job was being Grandpa to his grandchildren. Serving the community was important to Ken. He was an Ida County EMS for twenty-two years. He served as a fireman, storm watcher, and mayor of Ricketts, Iowa. While in Galva, Ken served as firefighter, first responder, treasurer of Galva First Responders, Galva City Council member, Iowa GOP member and was a member of the Cherokee County Fair Board. In his free time, Ken was a car show enthusiast. He was clever, a big jokester and he loved to laugh. He earned the nickname “Poncho”. You could find him listening to his favorite music by Toby Keith with his faithful dog, Shakira, by his side. He found joy in dessert, especially chocolate ice cream. Ken will be remembered as a loving, supportive, and generous soul. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Left to cherish Ken’s memory include his beloved wife, Ruth Langel; siblings: Vicky (Steve) Hemmelman; Dennis Langel; Stephen (Tammy) Langel; children: Jason (Jacque) Miller; Jennifer (Mike) Bailey; Justin Miller; grandchildren: Austin (Kayleen) Bunkers; Alex (Chrissy) Bailey; Henry (Aangel) Miller; Katelynn (Dom) Miller; Caiden Miller; BreAnna Miller; Emilee Miller; Ava Jo Miller; Bristol Bailey; Colton Miller; great grandchildren: Asher, Ivy, and Rosie Bunkers; Brexton Bailey; Artemis and Malachi Miller; extended family and many friends. Ken was preceded in death by his parents: Ervin and Evelyn, and sisters: Vonnie Langel and Julie Bucholz.

Kenneth Allen Langel

January 31, 1958 - April 15, 2025