Arnold J. “A.J.” Lang

Obituary

Arnold Joseph “A.J.” Lang was born on June 17, 1937, in Osceola Township, Minnesota. He was the son of Henry and Anna (Baumann) Lang. Arnold was baptized Catholic as an infant on June 17, 1937, and later confirmed in his faith on December 9, 1956, at First Lutheran Church in Cosmos, Minnesota. He attended grade school in Osceola Township, and was a graduate of the Bird Island High School Class of 1955. Following graduation, Arnold was employed at Pure Oil in Cosmos.

Arnold entered active military service in the United States Army in 1957. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington where he was in Company C Battle Group of the 8th Infantry. He was also one of the nation’s first soldiers to be trained in for the testing of the Army’s new pentomic battle concept. He was trained as a 3-5 rocket launcher gunner. Some of his other duties consisted of transporting AWOL military members and ROTC students from school to the camp field. Arnold received an Honorable Discharge in 1959, but remained in the Army Reserves until 1963.

After his discharge from the Army, Arnold became one of the first employees at Raske Building systems, working for Earl Raske. In 1961, he purchased the Pure Oil Station from Al Flemming, renaming it Lang’s Pure Oil. Arnold later renamed it to Lang’s Amoco, which is still its name today. He was also a retail dealer for Ariens and Dixon lawnmowers. Although he never really retired, Arnold could still be found buying, selling, and fixing small engines up until his last year. He would frequently talk about how much he loved his job as a mechanic and all of his customers – though they became more like friends throughout the years.

On September 4, 1960, Arnold was united in marriage to Carol Wegner at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Brad, Mike, Jeff, and Heidi. Arnold and Carol resided in Cosmos, Minnesota. They shared 63 years of marriage.

Arnold was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township, were he also served on the church council. He was also a member of the Beack-Thompson American Legion Post 126 in Cosmos, and various community clubs. Arnold sponsored and coached several Men’s Softball Leagues and PeeWee Teams.

Arnold enjoyed fishing and fixing just about anything, but his real passions in life were his children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with them so much, and never hesitated to let them know how much he loved them. He would call each of his children and grandchildren every week to talk with them. Arnold and Carol purchased a lake lot on Diamond Lake in 2006, where they enjoyed endless hours of fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Arnold passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Bethesda Grand in Willmar, Minnesota, at the age of 86 years surrounded by his family.

Blessed be his memory.

Arnold is survived by his:
Wife, Carol Lang of Cosmos, MN;
Children, Brad Lang of Cosmos, MN,
Jeff Lang and his wife, Karla of Cosmos, MN,
Michael Lang and his wife, LuAnn of Cosmos, MN,
Heidi Anderson and her husband, Doug of Grove City, MN;
Grandchildren, Beau Anderson, Brenna Anderson (Dakota), Brody Anderson, Brett Fank, Ciera (Tony) Lockwood, Rebecca Lang, Hanna Lang (Mitch), Miranda Lang (Brandt), Kalley Lang (Logan), Aaron Lang (Jade);
Great-granddaughter, Delilah Lockwood;
Sister, Agnes Weimer of Aiken, MN;
Sisters-in-law, Elvera Lang of Stewart, MN,
Brenda Petersen of Hutchinson, MN,
Lori Wegner of Stewart, MN;
Many nieces and nephews and friends.

Arnold is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Anna Lang; Infant Brother; Sister, Margaret and her husband, Reuben Martin; Sister, Delores and her husband, Roy Stancer; Brother, George and his wife, Sylvia Lang; Brother, Donald Lang; Brother-in-law, Ray Weimer; Father-and Mother-in-law, George and Elda Wegner; Brother-in-law, Kenneth Petersen; Brother-in-law, Kevin Wegner.