Gayle Langer

Gayle Jaqueline (Hahn) Langer, age 74, of Wadena, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Astera Health in Wadena surrounded by her family.

Gayle Jaqueline Hahn was born on February 16, 1950, in Bertha, Minnesota to Rudolph and Velma (Marquardt) Hahn as the youngest of twelve children. She attended school in Bertha, Spring Lake Park, Blaine and Wadena. Gayle was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bartlett Township. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wadena.

After high school, Gayle was united in marriage to Frank Windels, Jr. on July 30, 1971, and to this union two daughters were born: Melissa and Michelle. The couple later separated but continued to be friends over the years.

Gayle worked in many positions over the course of her lifetime; Westside Café, Wadena Elks, Homecrest, Pamida, New York Mills Elder’s Home, New York Mills School, Hamburger Hollow and Second Hand Rose. Most people would know her from Gayle’s Bar and Grill where she owned and operated for 21 years.

Gayle fell in love with Terence “Terry” Langer and on August 21, 1981, they were united in marriage in Wadena. They lived in Wadena, New York Mills and Perham, Minnesota. The recently moved back to Wadena.

Gayle enjoyed baking cookies, cooking, her cat(s), crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and dice games, Trivia Pursuit, reading, camping and laughing with her family and friends.

Gayle was known for her quick wit, contagious laugh, and unfiltered honesty. She always spoke her mind, never afraid to say exactly what she was thinking, and her vibrant spirit left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Deeply loved, Gayle’s passing will be mourned by her husband of 43 years Terry; her daughters Melissa “Missy” (Matt) Peterson and Michelle “Shelley” Reisenauer; five grandchildren: Brandon (Kaitlyn) Peterson, Kirsten (Andrew) Kiecker, Derek Peterson, Nicholas Reisenauer and Lexis Reisenauer; one great-grandchild Cameron Peterson; brother Marlowe Hahn; former spouse Frank; many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Gayle is preceded in death by her parents Rudolph and Velma; siblings: Clayton Hahn, Dennis Hahn, Gloraine Horn, Jean Dezell, Mary Burrows, Argyle Malecha, Janet Walgren, Marjorie Wood, Delores Wendt, and Fay Hahn.

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