RANDINA “DINA” JEAN (ELLIOTT) LANGREHR

July 3, 1981 — January 14, 2022

Posted

SPARTA - Randina “Dina” Jean (Elliott) Langrehr peacefully slipped into eternal life on January 14, 2022, after a long, valiant battle with metastatic breast cancer. When Randina was born to Dan and Kristi (Schaller) Elliott on Independence Day Eve (July 3, 1981), the world welcomed the brightest, most beautiful and loudest firecracker ever created. And when she left us, that same world got painfully quiet and devastatingly still for everyone lucky enough to know this remarkable woman – who had never been quiet or still for a moment in her 40+ years on earth!

   Dina recently referred to herself as “a hairstylist who likes to garden, ride horse, camp and drink Busch Light.” Those things are all true, but she was so much more than that. She packed more into her days than most people do in a lifespan twice as long as hers.

   From the time she was little, this force of nature had a special connection with nature. One of her mantras was that you could tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals, and by that measuring stick, she’s now likely giving St. Francis a run for his status as patron saint of them. Dina saved hundreds of little lives (many from small animal auctions) with her special recipe of compassion, ingenuity and resourcefulness. She never met an animal she didn’t love, and they loved her right back. Yet she was happiest on horseback, especially on the horse camp travels she and her friends enjoyed so often.

   As much as Dina loved taking care of her dozens of pets, she rarely let herself be tied down for too long! She could never resist a party. Some of her most memorable times were had camping at her family’s riverside haven, Ellistone; up north at her sister’s cabin retreat; on tropical vacations in winter and at festivals (specifically Country Fest, the La Crosse County Fair and WendyFest!) in summer – and of course, she’d never miss the Millston smelt fry bus trip! But truly, Dina turned every gathering she was at into an event. She was the ringleader of rabble-rousing and the coordinator of chaos, and she injected humor and spontaneity into even the most mundane situations.

   Dina was a 2000 graduate of Sparta High school, after which she attended the Scientific College of Beauty and Barbering in La Crosse. She spent most of her career as a self-employed stylist in her own beauty salon, Rural Roots (Sparta). As a beautician, she had numerous clients who came in as strangers but always left her shop as a friend.

   On September 17, 2005, Dina married the first love of her life, Tyson Langrehr. Tyson was her perfect partner and most steadfast supporter, applying his incredible construction talents to making all of her dreams come true. Their stunning home, hobby farm and front-yard salon stand as tangible examples of his devotion. Not as visible but just as impressive is his legendary patience, which got quite a workout with Dina’s countless adventures, projects and animal rescues!

   On May 9, 2010, Dina met the second love of her life. Walker Ervin Langrehr inherited his mother’s caring, generous spirit and passion for gardening and animals, and Dina nurtured them by pouring every ounce of herself into being a mother. Walker and Dina were two peas in a pod, always finding new crafts to create (and sell!) and animals to drag home! When Walker became old enough to join her on horseback riding trips, Dina was thrilled to share her favorite pastime with her favorite person.

   In addition to Tyson and Walker, those who will miss Dina most include her adoring parents, Dan and Kristi, sister Ashley (Brennon) Path, brother Brandon (Stephanie) Elliott, nephews Blake and Brooks Path and Huxley Elliott, nieces Ainsley Path and Oaklynn Elliott, and grandmother Florence Schaller. She was also beloved by Tyson’s parents (Sharon and Doug Langrehr), siblings (Tim and Sheryl Langrehr, Tom and Sarah Langrehr, Trina Ludowitz) nephews (Dayne, Max, Avyn and Briggs) and nieces (Aliyah, Abby, Lauryn and Madyn).

   In addition, she was loved beyond measure by her many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and four-legged children (including horse Diva and dogs Nya, Trigger, Maizie, Scout and Nickel).

   We are all tremendously proud of how fiercely Dina fought cancer, beating the odds time after time these past 11 years. She somehow managed to be an unwavering advocate for herself and her care without complaining once about the way it ravaged her body and cheated her of years she should have had with us. 

   Dina was preceded in death by grandmother Ardelle (Holley) Elliott, grandfathers Ervin Elliott and Eldred (Al) Schaller, uncle LeRoy Elliott and cousin Erik Elliott.

   The family would like extend their thanks to the hundreds of family members, friends and community members who assisted in Dina’s battle in so many ways throughout the years.

   If you’d like to honor Dina’s life, we know she would appreciate donations to the Sparta Area Cancer Support and Sunshine on the Trail. But she would be even more grateful if we could all find ways to pick up her baton. So the next time you see an animal hurting, try to help it. When you see a person in need of cheering up, make them smile. And when you see an unopened can of Busch Light, drink it up and toast her magnificent memory. 

   A Celebration of Life will be held from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 at Country Reflections Event Barn, 12770 WI-27, Sparta, WI 54656. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

   Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, assisted the family with arrangements. 

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation