Irving Arthur Langfield was born on May 29, 1923, the oldest son of Irving and Eva Langfield. Irv grew up in West St. Paul and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1941. After high school, Irv studied airplane drafting while working at St. Paul Book and Stationary.

In January 1943, Irv was inducted into the U.S. Navy. Although he wanted to go to aviation school, the Navy sent him to signal school. During WWII, he served as a signalman aboard the U.S.S. Comet and later aboard a mine sweeper. After 3 years and 19 days, Irv was discharged from the Navy on February 6, 1946.

After the war, Irv attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis studying mechanical engineering. He worked for American Hoist and Derrick before accepting employment at 3M Company. At 3M, he worked in the Photographic Products Division designing the machines that processed film into 35mm slides. After 30 years, Irv retired from 3M in 1985.

On May 13, 1950, Irv married Lorraine Klindworth. Together they set up a home on Stryker Avenue in West St. Paul. Over the next decade, they welcomed three children: Barb, Doug, and Greg.

Raising a family with Lorraine certainly kept Irv busy. When he had the time, Irv pursued several hobbies. He was an enthusiastic photographer and built a photo studio and a darkroom in the basement. He was an expert horticulturalist, planting a small orchard of apple and pear trees in the backyard along with rose and vegetable gardens. Later in his life, he enjoyed tending to his collection of orchids. Irv built doll houses for his granddaughters, cheered for the Vikings, Twins, and Gophers, carved and painted birds and loons, and spent many years putzing around at the cabin he built at Park Rapids, Minnesota.

Irv was a man of faith and family. Every Sunday morning Irv and Lorraine were in their usual pew. Never wanting to be late, they were frequently the first persons in the church after the doors were unlocked. Over the years, Irv enjoyed serving the Lord and the congregation in many ways—as an elder, as the church council secretary, and as president. Even in his later years, while he was still able, he spent many hours visiting with the home-bound members of the congregation.

To say that Irv was devoted to Lorraine is an understatement. Since their marriage 68 years ago, the two have been nearly inseparable. When they lived at Westwood Ridge, the staff and residents frequently commented on what a cute couple they were as they walked together, first with their canes and later with their walkers. When it came time to move to Heart to Home, their care givers commented again on what an inspiring couple they were. You could always spot them sitting at the dining table, side-by-side in their wheel chairs, holding hands, and saying their table prayers.

Irv was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease several years ago. As the disease progressed, it slowly robbed him of his independence. For the past 18 months, Irv was confined to a wheel chair. While Lorraine and his family miss him very much, we know his death was a blessing. Irv lived his faith up to the very end and was an inspiration to all who had the opportunity to know him.