Erwin Lang

Erwin Harland Lang was born January 9, 1941 in Tappen, North Dakota, the second of Katie (Stroh) and Jake Lang’s three sons. He passed away at home, surrounded by love, on April 10, 2025, and is deeply missed.

Erwin was raised and educated in Tappen and honorably served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1964 in San Antonio, TX, Tacoma, WA, Orlando, FL and Chateauroux, France. He and Mary Jo Gausemel of Drake, ND were married June 29, 1961 in Tacoma and celebrated 61 years of marriage before she passed away in 2021.

Following his military service, Erwin attended barber college in Fargo, then set up Erv’s Barber Shop in Napoleon, ND where Mary Jo taught elementary school. In 1969 they moved to Colorado Springs, CO where their children Audrey and Michael were raised. Mary Jo taught for 43 years and Erwin managed a drive-in theater. Together they owned and operated Lang’s Landscaping as well as some residential rental properties.

Anyone who knew Erwin knew that his lifelong passion was cars. In high school he was known as Speedy Lang, and over the years, he and his brothers, children, nephews and car buddies spent endless hours on cars – talking and reading about them, searching for and buying them, fixing and photographing them, selling and driving them. Erwin found great satisfaction and pride in building and showing his hotrods and he was an active member of car clubs in Colorado and the Roughriders Chevrolet Association in Bismarck. He was particularly proud of his ’68 Camaro convertible which won trophies in several car shows in multiple states. Erwin was a true artist, as evidenced by his creative landscaping designs and his intricately detailed car builds.

Erwin is survived by family members, including: daughter Audrey Lang and daughter-in-law Dr. Mari Jo Pesch (France); brother Melvin and sister-in-law Sherleen (Norling) Lang (Bismarck); granddaughters Carol Jo Lang (Mandan) and Amber Kelso (Colorado Springs); sister-in-law Lorrie (Gausemel) Greenwood (Jamestown); sister/brother-in-law Karen (Gausemel) and Gary Connolly (Minneapolis); brother-in-law Lee Gausemel (Phoenix); and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other family members who were very important to him.

Erwin’s sense of humor and infectious laugh, strong work ethic and kind personality naturally drew people to him. He was well-loved and appreciated by so many. As Mary Jo’s MS advanced, he dedicated himself to being her full-time caregiver which made it possible for her to remain at home. Likewise, Erwin’s family sincerely thanks the numerous friends, neighbors, caregivers and health providers whose contributions allowed Erwin to live out his life in his own home, which was his biggest wish these past years. Our heartfelt thanks to Kim Dronen, Loran Urlacher, Cornerstone Caregiving and Caring Edge Hospice.

Erwin was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jo (Gausemel) and son Michael Lang; brother Darold and sister-in-law Myrna (Riskedahl) Lang; parents Katie (Stroh) and Jacob Lang; in-laws Hattie (Norem) and Selmer Gausemel; sister/brother-in-law Sylvia (Gausemel) and Jim Borchert; brother-in-law Don Greenwood; and sister-in-law Gladys (Stavang) Gausemel.

A memorial service will be 10:30AM, Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 502 N 4th St, Bismarck.

Burial will be at 2:00PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.