Profile Text
Birth Name: James John Langer
Date of Birth: May 16, 1948
Place of Birth: Little Falls, Morrison Township, Aitkin, Minnesota, United States
Date of Death: August 29, 2019
Place of Death: Coon Rapids, Minnesota, U.S.
Ethnicity: * father – German * mother – one half Austrian, one quarter Irish, one quarter Norwegian
Jim Langer was an American professional football player. A center and guard, he was with the Cleveland Browns, the Miami Dolphins, and the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He was widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive linesmen in NFL history, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Jim was the son of Lucille Mae “Lou” and Alexander John “Alex” Langer. He was partly raised in Royalton, Minnesota. He was married to Laura, with whom he had four children.
Jim’s paternal grandfather was John Peter Langer, Jr. (the son of John Peter Langer and Mary Elizabeth Schmitt). Jim’s grandfather John was born in Pierz, Morrison County, Minnesota. Jim’s great-grandfather John was born in Le Sauk Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, the son of German parents, Adam Langer and Anna Katharena/Catharina Wissing. Jim’s great-grandmother Mary Elizabeth was born in Oberkirchen, Hochsauerlandkreis, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, the daughter of Peter Schmitt and Maria/Mary Klein.
Jim’s paternal grandmother was Mary Margaret Meyer (the daughter of Michael P. Maier/Meyer and Margaret Jax). Jim’s grandmother Mary Margaret was born in Pierz, Morrison County, Minnesota, to German parents. Michael was born in Trier, the son of John Joseph Maier and Marie Catharina Schmitt. Jim’s great-grandmother Margaret was the daughter of Nikolaus Jax and Anna Marie Simon.
Jim’s maternal grandfather was Francis Gilbert “Frank” Madigan (the son of Michael Morris Madigan and Tonette “Nettie” Bang). Francis was born in Lamberton, Redwood County, Minnesota. Michael was born in Trenton, Dodge County, Wisconsin, to Irish parents, John Madigan, from County Limerick; and Elizabeth Mulvaney. Jim’s great-grandmother Tonette was born in Bagn, Sør-Aurdal kommune, Oppland fylke, Norway, the daughter of Halvor Oleson Bang and Maren Sophie Johannesdatter.
Jim’s maternal grandmother was Hattie Weber (the daughter of Anton Weber and Theresa Wuska). Hattie was born in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, to Austrian parents.
Source: Genealogy of Jim Langer – https://www.findagrave.com