Langsweirdt joins Jordan Hall of Fame
Something Jerry Langsweirdt learned from his father has always stayed with him. "My father always told me that to make a better community, you had to work for it," Langsweirdt revealed.
And that advice is what led the Taunton native to being inducted into the inaugural class of eight inductees into the Jordan High School Hall of Fame this past Saturday. "It's really an honor to be chosen," said Langsweirdt.
"I've worked with some really wonderful people at school and the community, and I've enjoyed every day. When Langsweirdt was a student in a two-room schoolhouse in Taunton through eighth grade and then for four years of high school at Minneota, he was involved in a myriad of activities.
"I was involved in things like speech, performed in many plays, was in choir and also 4-H," said the 1956 Minneota graduate.
His parents owned Langsweirdt's General Store in Taunton for many years.
Jerry worked in the store while in school and during the summer when he came home from college. It was in that store that he learned the value of working hard and being involved in numerous activities. At 80 years of age, Langsweirdt still continues to be involved in as many things as possible.
"I like to stay busy," he said. "I've always been involved in a lot of different things. I still try to stay as active as I can." After graduating from high school, Langsweirdt attended Mankato State University for four years, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Speech and minors in Business Education and English.
He was hired right out of college to teach High School English at Jordan for the 1960-61 school year. He taught English, Speech and Consumer Education there for 41 years before retiring in 2001.
"I was 21 years old when I started teaching," he said. "I was only three years older than some of the students I taught." Langsweirdt went on to earn his Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling. He then became the full time Guidance Counselor at Jordan High School beginning in 1966 until his retirement.
He was extremely dedicated to his students. During his years as guidance counselor, Langsweirdt took the time to pen a personal and inspirational message to each and every member of the graduating class. Throughout the years at school, Langsweirdt has always been referred to as "Mr. L by students."
"It was much easier to pronounce and spell," he laughed. Although he never played sports in school, Langsweirdt has enjoyed staying in touch with Jordan sporting events as the public address announcer for the past 59 years. "I really enjoy that," he said. "I still announce for all the indoor sports like volleyball, boys’ and girls’ basketball and wrestling."
Because of his dedication to sports, Langsweirdt received an award twice for "Outstanding Contributions to Jordan High School Athletics". Besides being the Speech coach at Jordan, Langsweirdt also directed One-Act plays, served as the Senior Class Advisor, sponsored the Senior Executive Board, oversaw the National Honor Society, created and coached the Knowledge Bowl team, organized homecoming activities, led the senior class trip, organized graduation ceremonies, and emceed the Athletic and Arts banquets. Langsweirdt still judges various 4-H competitions in four counties, as well as also judging Speech and One-Act plays for the Minnesota State High School League.
"I've always liked animals," he said about his involvement in 4-H. "My uncle lived on a farm two miles outside of Taunton and raised chickens. I always went out there and helped take care of them." He was once also a semifinalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Within the community, Langsweirdt's resume is also lengthy.
He has been a part of the Jordan State Amateur Baseball Committee, served on the Jordan Park Commission, the Lions Club, and was instrumental in creating the Jordan Community Theatre in 1970.
"I thought it was important for the town to have a community theater," he said. "I've directed a lot of plays there. I've even performed in a few."
Another vital project Langsweirdt became involved in was to co-chair the "Save the Falls" Committee at Lagoon Park in Jordan. "The falls here had eroded and was blowing out, and there was no local funding for it," he explained.
"Because of its history, I felt it was important to keep it going. So I helped raise the money to get the work done to maintain the falls." He has also delivered Meals on Wheels for the past 15 years, sang in the St. John's Church choir for the past 50 years, and helps with the local Bloodmobile.
"The main reason I try to keep busy is because I really enjoy it," he said. "I like to be around people. I don't regret anything."
In 2001 Langsweirdt received WCCO's Good Neighbor Award. Langsweirdt and his wife Cheryl have been married for 49 years and have three children who were all graduates of Jordan High School; Sarah, Rachel and Aaron. They also have five grandchildren. The Langsweirdts are still huge community supporters and attend many activities.
To also keep busy in retirement, Langsweirdt has been working one day a week as a Mutual Betting Teller at nearby Canterbury Park.
"It's my world outside my world," he joked. "They were looking for help there 15 or 20 years ago and I thought 'I'm going to try this'. I've been there ever since." It seems like there's no slowing down for Langsweirdt.
And to think some days we have trouble getting off the couch to look for the remote.