The St. Francis Scholarship
As I met with two of Al and Barb’s children to find out more about the St. Francis Scholarship, “Get your boots on!” sticks in my mind. This was a rock-solid couple whose foundation was faith, family, and taking care of others – just because it was the right thing to do. Sacred Heart benefits today from their dedication and generosity, and I am excited to share their story with our foundation family.
Al and Barb (Jansen) Langer grew up on farms in rural Minnesota approximately 15 miles apart but didn’t meet until working at Merickel’s Lumber in Wadena. In August 1960 they were wed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples and moved to Grand Forks where Al began work as a butcher for Piggly Wiggly and Red Owl.
After bouncing between Grand Forks, Fargo, and Crookston, the couple settled permanently in Grand Forks when Al began his 37-year career at UND, first as a butcher and ultimately as manager of Central Foods on campus.
Barb served as librarian at Sacred Heart Schools for 21 years starting in 1988 after graduating from UND at the age of 49. She received the Sacred Heart Lumen Christi award the fall after retirement for distinguished service and positive impact on the school and Catholic education.
Al and Barb’s six children (Craig, Doug, Beth, Sue, Carol, and Tom) all attended St. Michael’s elementary school and learned early on the importance of not only having faith but living out that faith in everyday life.
Of course that included making it to Mass every Sunday, even if that meant walking through the snow instead of driving. It also meant nightly family prayers, which were especially meaningful during Advent when a branch from the backyard apple tree would be cut and put in a bucket of sand to serve as a Jesse tree, only to start to bud out by Christmas.
Living out the faith also meant serving as Eucharistic ministers at church and beyond as they brought communion and the Word to the elderly, shut-ins, and nursing home residents. Barb was one of the first female lectors at St. Michael’s and served as elementary school CCD coordinator for 6 years. Both served on various boards at the school and church. Together they helped lead many Marriage Encounter weekends in the 1970s seeking not only to strengthen their faith, but to help others strengthen theirs as well.
In retirement, Al and Barb professed as Secular Franciscans hoping to follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi in humility and ministry to the poor by bringing the Gospel to where they lived. Yes, faith, and living out that faith, were vital parts of Al and Barb’s lives. Family was also very important to Al and Barb.
The Langer household was always busy with church, school, sports, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and numerous other activities. Behind each of those activities, Al and Barb shared their time and talents to support the kids by volunteering as den mother, pack leader, fundraiser, or activities coordinator teaching young boys and girls skills for the future and being role models for them to emulate. There was never a doubt how important family was growing up in the Langer home nor how much you were loved.
Taking care of others is the final piece in Al and Barb’s story and the reason for this scholarship and its name. Chapters could be written on their service to others as they fully lived out – “Whatsoever you did to the least of these my brothers, you did unto me.” Organizing the Angel Tree collection, volunteering at the mission, making Christmas card packets for the incarcerated, driving people to church and the annual Christmas Eve dinner, and sponsoring children and families overseas are just a few of the activities Al and Barb regularly participated.
They also assisted in moving St. Anne’s Guest Home from its riverside location to its current location after the 1979 flood, as well as helping renovate what is now St. Gianna’s maternity home. The Langer’s were passionate about protecting life with dignity from conception to death.
So, what is with the “Get your boots on!”? Al would say that phrase when it was time to go outside and shovel snow. Of course, that meant not only shoveling their own driveway and sidewalk but often shoveling several neighbor’s as well. It also serves as a euphemism for their whole lives – get your boots on as it is time to get to work. Get to work serving your church. Get to work serving your family. Get to work serving others.
Al and Barb passed away 50 days apart in November 2025 and January 2026. True to their Secular Franciscan vows, they humbly seek to assist in bringing the Gospel to future generations with this St. Francis Scholarship.
The Sacred Heart foundation invites you to prayerfully consider supporting the legacy of Al & Barb and the Langer family. Let's all "get our boots on" and help the next generation of Sacred Heart students grow in knowledge and love of service.