Lester Langeland

Lester E Langeland was born on September 24, 1927 just a few years before The Great Depression. His parents John and Jennie (Stroven) Langeland purchased their farm on 5085 Garfield in Coopersville in 1929 . Lester and his siblings Leon and Betty (Kingma) learned that long-hours of hard work, frugal savings and growing their own food would save their farm and way of life. Lester attended Rankin’s School a mile west down Garfield with children of neighboring families. He remembers the great wind/dust storm of 1932 which toppled trees around the school and caused the dune sands to fill Grand Haven streets. Lester was reluctant to go to high school thinking it better to work on the farm. He relented when he learned that Coopersville High offered Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs. His decision for higher education greatly enriched his farming and personal life. This knowledge along with loyal helpers has allowed the Langeland Farm to grow into a flourishing fourth generation farm. His sons Merle and Marlin have expanded it and now their children Becky,Austin and Anthony are assuming leadership.

Lester credits his FFA high school teacher with teaching him business principles, parliamentary procedure, animal husbandry and the need for farmers to have a voice in Local, State and Federal government. His FFA class volunteered with the newly formed Ottawa Co Soil Conservation to plant dune grasses and trees to stop soil erosion and the need to look at farming practices that were contributing to damaging the environment. Lester continued his service to Ottawa Co Soil Conservation serving intermittently on the board, retiring at age of 94 from the board. He also served on the Polkton and Tallmadge Township Boards. 

As an active member of Michigan Farm Bureau, Lester promoted fair legislation for Michigan farmers. He enrolled farmers to become Bureau members and achieved a lifetime Membership Award enrolling 5 new members yearly for 30 years. His knowledge of parliamentary process was often called upon during legislation sessions. Lester was assisted in these efforts by his wife Adrianna who served along side him all those years.

But Lester’s first loves were for his wife Adrianna (Sall), his seven children and the Lamont Christian Reformed Church and Lamont Christian School where they attended as a family. Lester was the fourth generation of Langelands serving on the Consistory of Lamont CRC where his Great-grandfather Simen Langeland served when the church was formed in 1882. His love for the church, the members and their families was unwavering. If a need was noticed, he was alert to ways of helping to provide what was needed. Lester was active with being a Young Peoples Leader for many years organizing trips to their national conventions, Sunday School Superintendent for ten years. Lester also worked with the Young People at Little Farms Chapel. 

Adrianna and Lester worked with the Lamont community in beginning and sustaining Lamont Christian School which continues to provide a solid Christian education. Lester still enjoys school activities watching his children, grandchildren and now great-grand children perform in programs. 

Lester spent his life in the farming community in Coopersville. He valued local businesses, craftsmen and manufacturing. When the Coopersville Farmers Cooperative was closing twenty years ago, he purchased the Coopersville Hardware to save it from leaving Coopersville. His daughter & son-in-law Margo and Steve Kol purchased and restored it into a valuable asset for the City which is now owned by his grandsons Jeremy Bosch and Jacob Kol. 

Lester and Adrianna enjoyed traveling both across the United States, Russia, China, Europe, Argentina and many more making sure they visited farms and unique operations wherever they were. He had a special commitment to Haiti after visiting and supporting Tony Wolf’s WISH -WEST INDIES SELF HELP programs. Their love for travel led to many family trips they hosted for their adult children to Copper Canyon in Mexico, an adventure trip to Belize, Riverboat trip on the Mississippi River and road trip to Southwest to experience the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. 

Lester and Adrianna raised seven children: Marcia & Rick Draft, Mary & Morrie Dieleman, Melinda and Mike Dykstra, Merle & Lori Langeland, Margo & Steve Kol, Melody Langeland, Marlin & Glynda Langeland. They were blessed with 24 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Lester has been blessed by the love shown him from his loving family and surviving sister Betty Kingma. His extended Langeland and Albert Sall families have been a sustaining force in his life. Lester loved his family fiercely and so enjoyed hearing details of what they are doing in the world. 

A special note of thanks to Carol Groenink who provided support and friendship during this past year. Also to the Coopersville businesses who provided service to Lester as he drove up in his 1997 Cadillac including Taskers Pharmacy, Ty’s Barber Shop and Delly Belly Donuts.

Visitation will be Sunday July 28th from 1-4 pm and Monday, July 29th from 1-3 and 5-7 pm. at the Throop Funeral Home, in Coopersville. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 10 am, at the Coopersville Reformed Church due to Lamont CRC being in the middle of a sanctuary remodel. A lite lunch will follow the service. Burial will take place at 1 pm, in the Maplewood Cemetery at Lamont. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Lamont Christian School, 5260 Leonard St, Coopersville, MI 49404 or World Renew, 8970 Byron Commerce Dr SW, Byron Center, MI 49315.