Marvin H. Langeland - In Memoriam

May 11, 1910 - December 1, 1997

It was his determination that brought Marvin Langeland to Kalamazoo, a town where he knew no one, to start a funeral home in 1934. It was his compassion that turned it into a success.

Marvin had been working with his brother, Fred, at a funeral home in Zeeland when he set out to establish his own funeral home. With the encouragement of a local minister and a $500 loan from a friend he put down roots in Kalamazoo. The first year he had 34 funerals, a number that has increased steadily since.

Marvin’s first funeral home in Kalamazoo opened November 19, 1934 at 139 E. Lovell, a former doctor’s office that is currently the site of a parking ramp behind the former Jacobson’s store. He moved to the present location of the Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, in 1937.

He was a member of the Grace Christian Reformed Church and served there as an elder and was frequently asked to serve on synodical committees for the Christian Reformed Church. He was the father of two children, Kenneth who succeeded him in the formed business and Marilyn Van Gunst. His wife, Henrietta, passed away on April 19, 2008 at the age of 97. 

Dennis F. Langeland - In Memoriam

January 27, 1898 - December 1, 1986

When Marvin Langeland met success in the funeral business in Kalamazoo, he asked his brother Dennis to join him. Dennis, like Marvin had been raised in a small rural village outside of Holland Michigan, where their father owned a general store that sold shoes, boots, furniture, and caskets. He was also the village undertaker.

Dennis was a graduate of Calvin College and attended Western Michigan University. He taught school and was a salesman/driver for Baxter laundry in Grand Rapids before joining Marvin in the funeral business in 1942. He earned his Funeral Directors License and became a partner in the business and later became President of the firm.

Dennis was a member of the First Protestant Reformed Church of Kalamazoo and served on the consistory there as an elder and as council clerk. He also served on the Board of the Kalamazoo Christian High School. In 1984 he was honored as a 40 year licensee with the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.Dennis’s wife, Laurine, passed away in 1996 and they are survived by a daughter, Virginia Spitters; and sons. Harold who retired from his work at Langelands in 1993 and Norman who is President of the firm today. 

Fred Langeland - In Memoriam

March 2, 1903 - June 20, 1940

Fred Langeland owned a funeral home in Zeeland, Michigan before coming to Kalamazoo to join his brother Marvin. Fred was here only a short time when he underwent surgery. Although the surgery was successful, complications set in, and Fred passed away at the age of 37.

He was a member of the Third Christian Reformed Church of Kalamazoo.

His wife Della remained in Kalamazoo, where she raised their 4 children. She passed away in 2005 at the age of 101.

Kenneth P. Langeland - In Memoriam

June 24, 1938 - April 25, 2002

Kenneth followed in his father Marvin’s footsteps and became a Licensed Funeral Director in 1960. Under his leadership, the firm expanded with the acquisition of our Comstock and Galesburg Chapels.

Ken was a member of the Third Christian Reformed Church of Kalamazoo. He loved singing with the Singing Crusaders Men’s Chorus and served as their business manager. He and his wife Joyce enjoyed traveling and playing golf.

Joyce continues to live in Kalamazoo and Arizona. Their daughter Lori moved with her family to New Jersey and their son Tod lives in Kalamazoo and continues to work in the family business.

Harold C. Langeland - Retired

Graduate of Kalamazoo Christian High School, attended Western Michigan University, graduated from Wayne State College of Mortuary Science. Served with the U.S. Army of Occupation in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Member of VFW #6252 and Jos. B. Westnedge Post #36 of the American Legion; Member, Michigan Funeral Directors Association; Member, Third Reformed Church. Harold enjoys funeral home planning and design, as well as residential plan drafting. He has been active in Faith in Action Mission Trips. Harold is the father of Howard Langeland, Daniel Langeland, Rosemary Chilvere and Brenda Robert; three stepsons, John, James and Thomas Bennett. Harold was widowed in 1999. In May of 2003, he married the former Rose Marie LaFountain (Stanislav). They reside in Cooper Twp. and enjoy traveling in their motor home.

Norman D. Langeland

Graduate of Kalamazoo Christian High School, did pre-mortuary science study at Western Michigan University, graduated from Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in 1960. Member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, Michigan Funeral Directors Association. Past-President of Kalamazoo Sertoma Club, Member of Heritage Christian Reformed Church. Married to the former Bonnie Ewing, daughter Lisa Langeland Allen resigned from the firm after 30 years of service, son Greg Langeland and grandsons Tyler Langeland and Dylan Baas are still active in the operation of the family funeral homes. Grand daughter Shelby Herendeen is a licensed funeral director in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Tod W. Langeland

Tod graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1982 and received his Bachelors of Business Administration from Western Michigan University in 1987. He then entered the US Army as an officer, serving in Korea and Georgia. He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1994. Tod is a member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, Western Michigan University ROTC Alumni Association, and the Association of the United States Army. Tod lives in Kalamazoo with his wife, Reneé and their hounds.

Gregory N. Langeland

Graduate of Kalamazoo Christian High School and Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Greg is also a Member of Michigan Funeral Directors Association. Greg lives in Portage with his wife, Teresa, and their four children, Tyler, Haley, Hunter and Colton, and enjoys all sports activities.

Tyler Langeland

A 2014 graduate of Kalamazoo Christian High School, Tyler has since graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2017. He lives in Kalamazoo, where he enjoys watching football and spending time with his friends. Tyler is looking forward to his career with Langeland's and serving the community.

Win Swieczkowski

Katie Atkin

Katie was born and raised in Portland, MI, where she graduated from St. Patrick’s High School. She then went on to attend Lansing Community College and Wayne State University, where she received her degree in Mortuary Science in 2001. Katie has been a Licensed Michigan Funeral Director since 2003. She first began her career with Langelands in 2003 to 2005 and returned again in April of 2014. Katie and her son Emmett reside in Grand Ledge.

Jeremy Collins

Megan Myrick

Megan Myrick was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She graduated early from Phoenix High School in August 2020 and began working at Langeland's immediately after. She has had a passion for the mortuary science profession since a young age, and is currently taking prerequisites at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She plans to attend Wayne State University to attain her bachelors degree in Mortuary Science. Megan also has a passion for fine arts and currently resides in Kalamazoo, studying for her degree. Our Langeland team is honored to have her and to encourage her in her studies to join the funeral service profession.

Dana Naumann

Dana joined Langelands in 2014.  She has lived in Portage, MI since 1997. She attended Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI; Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO and Washington University, St. Louis, MO where she received her Masters of Social Work.  Then she moved to Wisconsin and worked as a Marriage and Family Counselor for 13 years.  She is married to Paul Naumann the Senior Pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church in Portage. They have three grown children who also live in the Kalamazoo.  Dana volunteers at St. Michael, as a team leader for mission trips and as a Stephen Leader. Dana enjoys spending time with her family, friends, reading and nature.

Robert A. Baas

Rob, Manager of Family Services and Pre-arrangement Department has been with Langeland Family Funeral Homes since 2002. He was part of the first group in Michigan to receive certification in MAPP, Michigan Advanced Planning Professionals, which is endorsed by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association. Through 16+years, Rob feels honored and blessed to have helped over 10,000 families and Veteran’s take care of their pre-planning needs. Rob is a 1990 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, and a lifelong member of Centerpoint Church. He enjoys many outdoor activities, watching movies and camping at Sandy Pines Recreational Community with wife Heidi, children, Shelby, Dylan, Peyton, Paige, Phylicia, granddaughter Lilli, and four-legged kids Tucker and Daisy.

Dylan Baas

Pre-Arrangement Counselor

A 4^th Generation Langeland and a 2018 Graduate of Mattawan High School, Dylan went on to receive his Limited Life Insurance License to provide families with peace of mind in the pre-arrangement department. He is also a Certified Crematory Operator who previously worked at our Langeland Family Cremation Center. He enjoys many activities, Hockey, Calvary Bible Church and Portage Men’s League Softball and is an avid golfer. He also loves spending time with his family, friends, girlfriend Maggie and four-legged kids Tots and Wolfie…

Anita Breisch

Born in Allegan and raised in Portage, Michigan. Anita graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and attended Lake Michigan College, taking business courses. Having worked in the funeral home industry for over 20 years, Anita joined the Langeland Funeral Home in 2009. In 2016, she married Bryan Breisch and currently resides in Comstock. Between the two of them they have five sons: Nathan, David, Jeremy (Becca), Aaron (Jon), and Travis Haica. They also have two grandchildren, Gabriel and Mariah and love spending weekends camping in Coldwater.

Cathie Laman

Born in Kalamazoo, graduated from Kalamazoo Public Schools and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She has 30 plus years of accounting experience working in the Kalamazoo area. Cathie lives in Plainwell with her husband John and dog Rocco. She enjoys working out and reading and has two married children: John and his wife Sylvia and Katelyn and her husband Andrew.

Kathy Terpstra

Kathy was born and raised in Cooper. She graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She joined Langelands in August of 2018. She has three grown children, Liz, Jake and Jesse and four grandchildren. She lives on a hobby farm with a variety of pets and enjoys caring for them  and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Roger A. Medema

Roger was born in Kalamazoo, raised in Portage and a graduate of Portage Central High School. In 1965, he joined our staff and has spent his entire career at Langeland Family Funeral Homes. Roger takes great pride in caring for all six of the Langeland facilities and has served as Facilities Manager for many years. His true passion are his gardening skills at all the chapels, his church, and his own home. Roger is also well known as being a vocalist (even in Dutch), providing music for many of the local churches and for some of the families we serve. His caring and hospitable nature is a true asset to his success in serving all who he comes in contact with. Roger and his wife Mary are members of Covenant United Reformed Church.