Michael Joseph Langer, age 79, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Imperial Manor Parkview Heights in Imperial, Nebraska.

Michael was born July 15, 1946, in Coral Gables, Florida, to William and Mary Helen (Murray) Langer.

As he grew into a young man, Michael felt a calling to join the United States Coast Guard. He enlisted in 1963 and found he loved life at sea and thought that might be how he’d want to spend the rest of his life in a career at sea. Unfortunately, tragedy struck during a storm at sea, as he was tossed during the boat’s rocking, landing hard on his head. This injury would leave lasting effects of migraines throughout the rest of his life. After he was discharged, Michael went on to achieve his GED before pursuing an education in business at Mid-Plains Community College for a little while.

Deciding that he would be better suited to more manual labor, he went on to attend Honeywell College, getting his certification as a Boiler Technician. He then traveled the country fixing boilers and acting as a general maintenance machinist for various companies. During this time in his life, Michael started working at Lundy’s Technical Center. There he met the love of his life, Sandra Kay Jewett, while working in maintenance. They were wed December 7, 1974, and to this union was born their children Sandy, Michael, and Tina. With his children from his first marriage, Mark and Ginger, his family was now complete. Together, he and Sandra opened Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery, which they ran for many years.

Michael will be remembered for his boisterous sense of humor, always quick with a joke or to take a silly picture. He loved fishing and cooking out whenever he got the opportunity. He also loved his cats Sunshine and Caju. But most importantly, he loved his family. He loved supporting his children and grandchildren and was a good provider during his working years. He will be missed.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Sandra; sons Mark (Elana) Langer of Texas and Michael Langer of Georgia; daughters Sandy (Brian) Vrana of Texas and Virginia “Ginger” Pearl (Paul) Bounassi; 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and many more family and friends whose lives he touched.

He is preceded in death by his dad William Langer; mom and step-dad Mary and Larry Gilliam; daughter Tina Langer; great-grandchildren Grace Vrana and Trevor Bounassi; sisters Patty (Eddie) Petrovich and Virginia Kloiber; father-in-law Dale Jewett; and sister-in law Sharon Buckley.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with Pastor Job Vigil officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for future designation.