Dennis E. Langley

Dennis E. Langley, 87 of Sioux City passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 after a lengthy battle with ALS.  Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.  Visitation will be Friday, March 17, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.  

Dennis was born on June 25, 1935 in Sioux City, the son of Leonard C. “Bill” and Alvina (Axemaker) Langley.  He grew up in the Sioux City area, graduating from Central High School in 1953.  He was a member of Holy Cross Parish - Blessed Sacrament Center. 

Dennis grew up on the family farm.  After high school he did sheet metal work and worked with the Langley roofing company with his cousin Dick, who was like a brother to him.  He then started a career at Briar Cliff College in the Maintenance department and later served as the Director of Plant Operations, with 37 years of service.  He was proud he and his maintenance crew planted all the evergreen trees on the Briar Cliff campus.  Dennis was known for his hard work.  After retirement, he worked for The Diocese of Sioux City for a short time before retiring full time to Oakwood Lakes.

He married the love of his life, Mary Ellen (Schuttpelz) Langley on June 27, 1955 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.  They were blessed with nine children in their 67 years of marriage.

His favorite hobbies were spending time with family, boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hunting, bowling, playing cards, dancing, country music and attending Briar Cliff basketball games.  He described himself as an average but avid water skier and skied until age 78.  One of his proudest accomplishments was building their lake home on Oakwood Lakes in Bruce, SD, where countless memories were made with many family and friends.  Dennis and family enjoyed the lake, but also spent much time on the Missouri River.  Dennis was a long-time blood donor.  He and Mary Ellen enjoyed going to Arizona for a month or two for several winters. 

Dennis showed amazing strength and perseverance during his 7 year battle with ALS. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Mary Ellen Langley; sister, Lenore Wingert; daughter, Deb (Derek) Davis and their children, Jason (Debra) Davis and their children, Jacob and Geri (Cody) and their children, Dylan and McKenna; daughter, Diana (Bryan) Jones and their children, Crystal and Travis (Bessie);  daughter, Denise (Mitch) Osterholt and their son, Casey (Nikki) and their children, Alex, Addi, and Audrey, and daughter, Jessica; son, Duane (Kelly) Langley and their children, Brett and Carly; daughter, Lorraine Langley; son, Darrell Langley (Lance Hankins); son, Doug (Stacey) Langley and their children, Gavin, Bryer, and Dawson; daughter, Dawn (Dustin) Courey and their children, Alisa (Brooke) and Jenna; and daughter, Darci (Jay) Weakland and their children, Noah and Parker.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Carol Schuttpelz; father and mother-in-law, Carl and Marie (Belz) Schuttplez; and brother-in-law, James Wingert.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Siouxland ALS Association or Hospice of Siouxland.