Joseph “Joe” William Langenfeld, 71, passed away peacefully losing his battle with Luekemia on May 23, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family.  He was born Oct. 7, 1950, in John Day, to Daniel and Hilda (Moffett) Langenfeld. He was number four out of nine children.   

Joe grew up in Mount Vernon and attended school there until he graduated. He loved working in the cafeteria during school to get free lunches and a little extra spending cash. He really hated the lime Jello and carrots because it made him puke. 

In the third grade, he was running like a bat out of hell in the school hallway when someone opened the bathroom door and he ran into it, laying him out flat. His concussion was so severe, he ended up staying a week in the hospital. Joe was always a willing participant in fun and creative adventures. He was always working on the ranch to help his family.  

Joe was drafted into the military and completed basic training in Mississippi but was never deployed.

While working at his family businesses, Joe met the love of his life, Joy Lee Whisenant at the Orbit Motel next to the Night Owl Café. He rescued her from being locked out of her hotel room because Sammy the dog locked her out. She was just traveling through but loved bloomed from this meeting. They were married March 15, 1974, in Reno, at the Chapel of Love. 

Joe and Joy traveled around doing construction jobs until they started their family.  From this union, Joseph “Bill” William and Michelle Lynn were born on July 4, 1977, one minute apart in La Grande. 

In 1980, the family relocated to Burns and shortly after purchased their ranch nine miles east on Hwy 78. He worked for various businesses in Harney County using his CDL license to deliver fuel for Chevron and Union 76; hauling hay for Norman Ranches and then started his own business custom farming all over Harney County with his wife and children. At the same time building a cattle ranch on their place.

Joe enjoyed spending time with family and friends hunting, snowmobiling, off roading in ATVs, and camping.  Fishing in Alaska was one of the highlights of his life. Joe had an amazing self-motivated will power, he was very determined to accomplish anything. He never gave up until the job was done, even if that meant hours of tireless work, dealing with ornery cows, equipment that kept breaking down, pivots that got plugged or pumps going out, baling all hours of the night, and helping anyone with their problems with the same determination. 

The past few years, Joe has been the primary care giver to his wife. He was a devoted husband, father, grandpa, and friend. Nothing was more precious to him than his sweetheart, his children, and his grandchildren.  

Joe is survived by his wife, Joy; son, Bill (Ann) Langenfeld; daughter, Chelle (Joe) Arnold; grandchildren, Katy, Wyatt, and Morgan Langenfeld; Derek and Alayna Taylor; sister, Dana (Chuck) Wold of Arizona City, Ariz.; brother, Ronald Langenfeld of Chandler, Ariz.; brother, Daniel (Jean) Langenfeld of Mesa, Ariz.; sister, Lisa (Mark) Merklin of Longview, Wash.; Aunt, Mardell Philups of Fruitland, Idaho; unofficial adopted family; Brandon Baron, Sarah Ayling and their children Lucy, Dayton, Signor and Ayva ; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joe was proceeded in death by his parents; sisters, Linda, Cindy, and Tammy; and brother, Nicholas.

A celebration of life will be held at the Burns Elks Lodge on June 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon. At 1:00 there will be a precession to Harney Cemetery for burial of Joe’s ashes. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Joe’s memory can be made to Harney County Hospice.