Charles Joseph Langenderfer

Charles Joseph Langenderfer, age 89, of Moorcroft, Wyoming, passed into the next life on Sunday, October 22, 2023. Charlie, a consummate joker and friend to all, was born on March 19, 1934 to Laurence Joseph and Mabel Langenderfer (Hilton). He was the third of their six children.

Charlie grew up in Rawlins, Wyoming and attended school there. He joined the Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War; he was honorably discharged in 1955.

Charlie married Jerry LaMone and they had two children, Albert Langenderfer and Kathy Rule. They later divorced.

Charlie and Alice Charter were married on February 2, 1962 in Rawlins and combined their two families. When Charlie married Alice, he said he married her whole family. None of her children ever called him, or thought of him, as step-dad, but as the one who stepped in and became their beloved dad.

The family moved to Bairoil, Wyoming in 1965, then to Moorcroft in 1968. Charlie and Alice were married for 45 years, raised eight children and were dearly loved by their 26 grandchildren, numerous great and great-great grandchildren. They made a home where all the children loved to spend their time. 

Charlie enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family. He was an avid bowler for many years and was often the high-scorer, even after losing most of his eyesight due to macular degeneration.

Early in his life, Charlie worked in a body shop and on the oil rigs, then as a pumper in the oilfield. Later he ran his own body shop in Moorcroft for many years. He finished his working years at Amax Coal Company in Gillette, Wyoming.

In his retirement years, Charlie helped Alice garden and they enjoyed traveling to Alaska to hunt and fish. They also hosted many family get-togethers. After Alice passed away in 2007, Charlie spent much of his time with his companion Karen Zahn.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alice; sisters, Lucy, Marj, Ada and brother, Bob; son, Howard Leger; daughter, Terry Williams; sons-in-law, Jim Lassle and Donald Weeks. He is survived by his companion, Karen Zahn (Moorcroft); son, Albert Langenderfer (Casper, Wyoming); daughters, Kathy Rule (Casper), Karen Weeks (Basin, Wyoming), Judy and Mike Shelton (Gakona, Alaska), Sandra Lassle (Sturgis, South Dakota), Penny and Steve Noakes (Salome, Arizona) and numerous grandchildren.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, October 25 at the Moorcroft Cemetery.