(Le Mars) — Le Mars City Administrator, Scott Langel, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday afternoon as he passed away. Langel, 61, served as the city’s administrator since the mid 1990’s. He has been a city employee since the mid 1980’s. Prior to serving as the city’s administrator, he was employed as the city engineer. Langel returned home to Le Mars on Sunday evening from his stay at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He was greeted by the mayor, members of the city council, and several city employees as they stood in front of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Station and waved and applauded. The homecoming welcome was attended by perhaps as many as 200 people. Included at the homecoming were members of Langel’s family and friends. Langel was escorted into town by the Le Mars Police Department and the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department. Langel and his family first went by the new police headquarters that is being constructed, and was met with several officers of the police department with their lights flashing. He was then escorted past the Le Mars Fire Station and Public Library. City vehicles were parked on the side of the street with lights flashing to welcome him home. During his tenure as the city’s administrator, Langel helped with many economic development projects for the city of Le Mars. A new waste water treatment facility, the renovation of the public library, the new police headquarters, a new street department storage and warehouse facility, the renovation and upgrade of the Le Mars Municipal Park, Campgrounds, and Shelter House, the installation of the Olson Cultural Events Center, the acquisition of some of the former Westmar College buildings, including the gym as the community YMCA, and the Convention Center. the acquisition of the fire department station from the Northwest Rural Electric Cooperative were all done under his watch.
Mayor Dick Kirchoff said of Langel that he was an innovator and entrepreneur, and always had the best interest of the city at heart. At times when Kirchoff was referencing Langel, he would get a bit emotional. While addressing the 16 people attending the Le Mars Citizen Police Academy, Kirchoff was visibly shaken with his voice quivering when he talked about the the city administrator.
Neil Adler, the executive director with the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce and LBIC worked with Langel on numerous projects.
Adler admits on occasion having disagreements with Langel. But he says the final decision and outcome was always for the benefit of Le Mars.
City Councilman Rex Knapp has been a council member for nearly as long as Scott Langel has been the city’s administrator. Knapp says Langel proved to be a hard and dedicated worker for the benefit of the city.
Knapp says Langels legacy will live on simply because of the many projects and structures that were built during his time as a city employee.
Funeral Announcement On Scott Langel
Scott Langel, 61, longtime City Administrator and Engineer for the City of Le Mars passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at his home in Le Mars surrounded by his family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2018 at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Kevin Richter will celebrate Mass with other priests in the Sioux City Diocese concelebrating. Visitation with the family present will be after 4:00 p.m. Thursday, August 30, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all at the church. Visitation will resume from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Friday at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.
