Howard LaVern Langvartd, 69, of Chapman, passed away Friday, February 21, 2014, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.
Howard was born on November 11, 1944, in Junction City. He was the son of LaVern Roland Langvardt and Ethel Marie (Norman) Langvardt. Howard graduated from Junction City High School and immediately after high school attended the Repperts School of Auctioneering in Decatur, Indiana. Along with this family, Howard purchased and managed JC Livestock Sales Co., the livestock auction market in Junction City, for 48 years. In 1996, Howard and his family purchased Clay Center Livestock Sales, the sale barn in Clay Center. Howard was the main auctioneer at the barns and was known for selling cattle, hogs and horses for people in the area. He and his family also raised cattle on the farm west of Junction City.
Howard met his wife Ann LaRae Kamm on a Geary County 4-H trip to the American Royal in Kansas City. They were married May 3, 1964, at First United Methodist Church in Junction City and worked side-by-side for 49 years at the sale barns and on the farm.
Howard grew up showing horses and competing in rodeos and played baseball and football in Junction City. He played in the JCHS band. Howard loved watching his children and grandchildren play and compete in the activities he treasured as well. He was a founding member of the Easter Kansas Horseman’s Association and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Junction City.
He was known for a fast auction cry and quick wit. He loved to auctioneer a sale—at his own sale barn or at other barns and for area county 4-H fair sales as a volunteer. He competed and was a finalist in several World Livestock Auctioneering Competitions. He and Ann enjoyed traveling with friends and telling stories about their adventures together gathering cattle on area ranches and seeing the western United States.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ann, and their three sons, Karl and wife Amy and their sons Tanner and Trey, Mitchell and wife Jenna and their children Trent, Kyler and Macey; and Lynn and his wife Keisha and their three children, Weston, Reece and Nolan. He leaves behind many family members, including a special sister Audrey and her husband Raymond Riat, St. Marys, KS and countless friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, February 27, at First Presbyterian Church, 113 West 5th Street, Junction City. Pastor Matthew Glasgow will officiate. Burial will be at the Good Hope Cemetery, northeast of Chapman, KS. The family will welcome friends on Wednesday from 6 to 9 pm at First Presbyterian Church, Junction City, for visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Junction City, The Good Shepherd Hospice House, Manhattan, KS, or the Chapman Recreation Department. Memorials may be sent in care of the Londeen Funeral Chapel, Box 429, Chapman, KS 67431.