Final Salute

Kenneth Langmade, age 99, of East Bethel, died Aug. 28, 2025.  Memorial service 2:00 PM Saturday, Sept. 6th at Strike Life Tributes, 409 Broadway St SE, Isanti. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Ken was a Proud WWII Navy Seabees Veteran. Ken spent 79 years assisting military families, including welcoming home and deployment ceremonies with the National Guard, thru the Kraus-Hartig VFW Post #6587. Military Honors will be provided by Kraus-Hartig VFW Post #6587.

Kenneth Wayne Langmade was born July 29, 1926 to Wayne and Edith (Holms) Langmade. Ken grew up in the St. Francis area and graduated from Elk River High School.

Growing up north of the metro, he went to serve his country in World War 2. From 1944 to 1946 he served with the 52nd Naval Construction Battalion as a seaman first class. He was in the South Pacific building air landing strips and repairing roads on the islands American forces took on their march toward Japan.

Ken married Janette Gardner on November 4, 1950 at West Bethel Methodist Church in East Bethel. They lived in Minneapolis and Blaine until 2005 when they moved to East Bethel.

Ken was a very decorated and active member of East Bethel. Ken was honored as the Grand Marshal of the East Bethel Days parade 2010. In 2003 he was given the “Patriotic Citizen Award”.
In 2004 he was one of eight people who were recognized as “Community Heroes” by the Creating Communities organization. In 2009 Ken was awarded the “Special Medallion for Excellence” by the 13th Psychological Operations Battalion. This medallion is given to an individual that has done great things, above and beyond what others have done.

Ken has been of member of the Kraus Harting VFW Post 6587 for over 50 years, serving as Quartermaster for 20 years, a District Inspector for 22 years, State Inspector for six years, and Post Commander. He has been given two National VFW Appointments by the State VFW Commander, and several awards for the work that he has done for the VFW.

Ken is survived by wife, Janette; children, Steven (Marilyn) Langmade, Linda (Brian) Mundle, Lawrence Langmade, and Susan (Richard) Hewitt; 4 siblings, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and other relatives and friends. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, a great grandson, and 6 siblings.