Curtis Duane Langendorff

Curtis Duane Langendorff passed into the arms of the heavenly father on August 30, 2026 surrounded by his family.

Curt was born in Dickinson, North Dakota on July 9, 1946 to Fred D. and Barbara Langendorff. Growing up on a farm, he attended country school until high school, where he graduated from Central High School in Dickinson. Throughout his childhood, his family took part in the German tradition of polka music. Curt learned to play saxophone from his dad and joined the family polka band at age fourteen. He spent many late nights in high school playing polka gigs with his dad and uncle and continued to excel as a saxophonist until his health prevented him from doing so. Curt’s love for music began in his polka band days but continued throughout his life. He was an avid collector of jazz and Christmas music and relished having the newest sound-system technology for playing his many CDs and cassette tapes.

After high school, Curt began taking classes at Dickinson State University, but shortly thereafter decided to take a break from school to join the US Navy. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed on the Destroyer John R. Craig where they patrolled the waters surrounding Vietnam. While on that tour, he also spent time in the Philippines and eventually was assigned to electronics school in Southern California. Finally, he was stationed in Hawaii, where he became a “plank-holding” member of the Fleet Intelligence Center of the Pacific (“FICPAC”) in Pearl Harbor. While living in Hawaii, Curt graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu with a degree in business and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy. Some of Curt’s fondest memories were made in the Navy. Coming from a farm in rural North Dakota, he was fascinated by the food and culture of the faraway places he got to see. Some of his stories from his Navy days feature giant snakes in the Philippines and peaceful nights on the lanai in Hawaii.

He retired from the Navy in 1978 and moved to Great Falls, MT where he joined his father, mother, and siblings in the Dairy Queen business. Curt was manager at Dairy Queen for nearly 10 years. As a natural visionary, he was always coming up with a fresh new idea for the business, like serving a free breakfast to anyone who came in in their pajamas.

In 1980, Curt met Noreen Rice, the love of his life, while he was working at Dairy Queen. They married shortly thereafter and he became the stepfather to Noreen’s two children. Curt and Noreen were married for 46 years.

Curt was ordained as a minister in 1987 and was sent to Lewistown, MT to plant Celebration Church. Alongside his wife, Noreen, Curt pastored there for 35 years. Curt found his true calling as a pastor because it gave him the opportunity to connect with people and spread God’s love to others. He enjoyed writing the church bulletin and appearing on local radio once a week to discuss ongoing ministry events.

They retired from ministry in 2023 to be closer to family. Curt struggled with health challenges for many years and was blessed to be accepted into Lasting Legacy Living Center where he happily spent his last several months, meeting many new friends, residents, and staff.

Curt touched and ministered to many over the years. He was a man of love and grace. He is survived by his wife, Noreen R. Langendorff; his stepchildren, Stasi (Brian) Shippy, and Patrick (Bethany) Rice; his six grandkids, Cyrus, Ryan, and Savannah Shippy, and Donavan, Ailey, and Micah Rice; and his siblings Linda McNee, Charles 'Chuck' Langendorff, Dale (Jeanie) Langendorff, Creighton (Debbie) Langendorff, and Conrad (Mary) Langendorff.

Curt is preceded in death by his parents Barbara and Fred D. Langendorff, some loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and many of his beloved cats.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at Celebration Church in Lewistown on September 10, 2026 at 11:00am, and at Gillette Four Square Church in Gillette on September 19, 2026 at 11:00am.