Peter Alan “Pete” was born in Helena, Montana on August 14, 1928, the son of George William Langdorf and Ethel Laura Pratt Langdorf. Pete went to grade school and graduated from Helena High School in June of 1946. He went on to Montana State College where he studied Civil Engineering. After 2 years of trying to get the tunnel out of the mountain he took his dad’s advice and applied for work with Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company. He started working in Helena, then Wolf Creek, back to Helena, then to Elliston, Lewistown, Whitehall, Dillon, Butte and in the spring of 1950 to Miles City, Montana. There he met a beautiful young lady by the name of Lelia Mae Kvammen. “Lee” was working for the telephone company as a service representative. They became engaged and had planned a large church wedding for the spring of 1951.
Then came the greeting from President Harry Truman, Pete was to report to Butte, Montana for induction. They had found each other and the Korean War was about to break this out, so they decided to get marr1ed on November 5th, and after a short honeymoon to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, they moved to Helena, Montana waiting for orders from the Army. Pete was inducted into the Army in
December of 1950 in Butte, Montana. Lee elected to stay in Helena until Pete finished his basic training. In June of 1951 she joined him in Tacoma. In December 1951, Pete was shipped out to Japan. He took training in chemical biological and radiological warfare at Camp Gifu Japan (Gifu was a Japanese Kamikaze Training Base) after this training he was shipped out to Korea and was attached to the 25th division and assigned to Battery C 90th Field Artillery a 155 outfit.
Peter August Langdorf was born June 7th, 1952 at Madigan Army Hospital. Pete Sr. returned from Korea in August of 1952 and held his son for the first time. Following his honorable discharge from the Army in September of 1952, the family purchased a 30’ Spartan Trailer that was their home for the next 5 years. Pete resumed working for the telephone company as a central office equipment installer. In the spring of 1955, Pete was offered a located job in Livingston, Montana. In 1959, the family moved to Miles City, Montana where Pete became first a foreman, then supervising foreman and then manager of the Miles City exchange for the next 20 years. Their daughter Judith Jean was born on July 22, 1966. They always kidded Pete and Lee about the 14 years between their two children. “Family planning” was one of their answers.
In January of 1981 with the re-organization of the telephone company Pete was forced to retire with over 33 years of service. Pete tried several jobs around Miles City, first as a traveling salesman for Roundup Powder Company, then as a clerk for the Coast to Coast Store in the appliance department. The family then opened their own phone store (The Phone People) selling and installing telephone equipment.
In 1984, Lee and Pete were offered jobs working for Rasco Supply Company in Lihue, Hawaii. After five years working in paradise, Pete and Lee moved back to the mainland settling in Denver, Colorado, to be near the kids. Pete kept busy working on their apartment building and helping the kids, and Lee worked as a leasing agent and professional grandmother until she passed away after a battle with cancer on December 24, 1999. Pete stayed in Denver for a while then moved back to the family home in Miles City where he kept busy working as a volunteer for the Range Riders Museum, the Miles City Kiwanis Club and the First Lutheran Church.
In the spring of 2003, Pete met Marion Rose Stickney and they were married at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City on May 15, 2004. They loved to fish, golf, bowl, dance and travel. They took trips to Germany, the Canad1an Rockies, Branson, Missouri, the US open golf championship in Pine Hurst, North Carolina, Myrtle Beach, Hawaii and the Fanning Islands, Niagara Falls and numerous trips to see her kids and grandkids and Pete’s kids and grandkids. Marion died on April 5, 2010.
Pete leaves his son Peter August, his daughter in-law Norleen, grandchildren Samantha, Nikole and Bryan; his daughter Judith Jean Wood, his son-in-law Brent and grandchildren Austin, Brayden and Ashlee.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 11:00 at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors.
Those desiring to make a memorial, please send it either to the Range Riders Museum or to the First Lutheran Church in Miles City, Montana.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday October 26, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday October 27, 2014
First Lutheran Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Monday October 27, 2014
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday October 26, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday October 27, 2014
First Lutheran Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Monday October 27, 2014
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Niki Munroe says
So very sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He was a great fellow Kiwanian; such a nice, generous man. He will be missed by many.
Mark Langdorf says
Uncle Pete touched my life, and my family’s life (Sharon, Lisette, and Tim) in so many kind and loving ways. He will certainly be missed. His sweet and graceful spirit will remain in our hearts always.
Eric and Betty Fridrichson says
We remember Pete as a kind and thoughtful man. Pete and I worked together at Steadman’s after he left Penney’s. We also got our beloved cat “Socks” from Pete. Many happy memories, family, be comforted to know he was loved by all who knew him.
Tanya Leidholt says
Pete was such a great man. I will miss seeing his smiling face at church on Sunday’s. He will be missed by many. Prayers to your family.
Chris McRae DeBoer says
What an awesome gentleman! Pete was involved with the Mile City Caledoninan Club with my father, Don McRae. He helped me pick out music for my father’s funeral. I knew Pete for many years and always regarded him highly! RIP Pete!
Tim and Debbie Irion says
We are so sorry for your loss. Pete was always a gentleman and a wonderful asset to our whole community.
Cyndi Burke says
Pete was a really special man who will be greatly missed. I will keep him and his family in my prayers.
Terri and Ray Schmidt says
Ray and I are both so sorry for your loss. Ray enjoyed his Thursday lunches with Pete and the guys.
Pete seemed to have a twinkle in his eye and was always such a gentleman. He will be missed by so many.
Your family is in our heart and thoughts during this time.
Maureen O'Reilly says
I was so sorry to read where Pete had passed away. He and Lee were good friends and neighbors for years.
Jim Nelstead says
I am so sorry to read of Pete’s passing. Pete and Lee were a large part of my growing up and I can remember the fun that the folks had with them. I am glad that I had the opportunity to see him again a couple of years ago when I was home.
There must be a good bridge game going on in heaven right now.
Teresa Geib Bacon says
Judy and Pete, Mom and I are so sad to hear this, she spoke w your dad a couple yrs ago. I have tried to find you since I moved from Denver to N Co, wanted to know how everyone was. I hope you are well, please accept our condolences. blessings to all, Teresa Bacon and Elaine Geib
Joyce Vera says
I was so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He has been an important part of our community for such a long time. Being in Music, he was always a part of the City functions. He was also our sound man at church and one of my biggest fans. After most everyone of my Offertory pieces on the organ, he would give me a big WOW when I was done. It always gave me a special feeling knowing that he knew music and appreciated my efforts. I already miss him a great deal but I know that he is with his beloved Lee and Marion. It is my prayer that God wraps his loving comfort around his family, and blesses them with wonderful memories. We were certainly blessed to have him as part of our lives.
Kay Carlson says
When I think of Pete I always think of First Lutheran. That was where we met so very long ago. I enjoyed singing in the choir with him. I loved his smile and his sense of humor. No matter how long between seeing each other he always had a smile and a hug. I will miss you Pete. Godspeed.
B DEAN HOLMES says
Judith and Pete and families… we loved Pete and Lee…. working with them on arrival in Miles City. Pete was head of the phone company and your mother was traffic at KATL. We had so many great memories and will always…. one of them being the moon landing. We watched from your back yard….. under clear skies. Saw Pete just last spring. Another funeral seems to be the only thing that brings us together. Peace be with you and Pete.
Lawrence Torstenbo says
Saw Pete many times at the Airport Inn and it was always enjoyable to visit with him! He will be missed by many! God bless his family and friends!
Larry Goehner says
Sad to learn of Pete’s passing. He was a friend and supporter of Special K Ranch. I got to know him at Kiwanis meetings and visits he made to the ranch. He was instrumental in bringing his family together to honor his sister, Jean McCullough, and husband Dave with an attractive white vinyl fence down the lane to Ranch. We pray that the peace and comfort that comes from the Good Shepherd will sustain you in this time of loss.
God’s peace be with you.
Kim B. McRae says
Sorry to hear about Pete’s passing, I remember him singing at Burns and bringing a lot of Joy to a lot of people. He had a great smile. Judy know that I’m thinking of you.
Dave Goss says
Sorry to learn of Pete’s passing. I will always remember his smile and ability to find humor in all situations. A favorite story I have told over the years involves flying together on one of the early Big Sky flights from Helena into Billings. A high wind was really throwing that small plane around, and through the cockpit windows (only a curtain separated it from the rest of the plane back then and it was usually open) we would see the city, then the runway, then the hills behind the airport, then the city and so on. Finally, when once again we saw the runway Pete yelled at the pilot, “Now, drop it now!” As we all laughed, the pilot followed Pete’s instructions and we landed safely. It’s been years since I last saw Pete, but whenever I board a plane I still think of that flight and a smile comes to my face.
AnneMarie Wallette says
My condolences on your loss of Pete. I so enjoyed him in Kiwanis and the times we were able to visit. He was an amazing man and I am better for knowing him. Prayers for your family.
Teresa Geib Bacon says
Dear family, our sincere sympathy to you all, what a wonder picture! Above I wrote but it still says awaiting moderation so don’t know if you saw it. Mom spoke w Pete a yr ago, she was tickled to speak with him. If you are in the Denver area, look my name up in Windsor, God Bless you all, Teresa Geib Bacon and Elaine Rumph Geib
Glenn Hoopman says
Our condolences go out to the Langdorf family! Very sorry for your loss! I first met Pete many years ago while visiting the Elliott family (Pete’s neighbors). Pete was always very polite, shook your hand & would stop & visit. Occasionally he stopped by for a barbecue dinner or coffee. Pete always had a joke to tell & constantly had a smile on his face. He was a very sincere person & always wanted to show you something neat like his favorite small train station which he built & it took up most of his basement at his house. Quite a feat! Pete was always doing good things for people & businesses around Miles City. We were on vacation one summer & he asked me to help him change out the ceiling lights at the Range Riders Museum. We had a blast trying to figure out which used bulbs were still functional. He certainly wasn’t afraid of work. We are going to miss visiting with Pete during the summers when we visit Miles City. God Bless Pete & the Langdorf Family.
Glenn & Gail Hoopman