Derrick John Langeslay

Derrick J. Langeslay, age 43, of Hastings, passed away unexpectedly on September 5, 2025.

Derrick was born on October 24, 1981, in Rochester, New York, on his mother’s birthday, to Elaine and Kenneth Langeslay. At just 4 days old, Derrick moved with his family to Point Loma Naval Base in California, then on to Great Lakes Naval Base just north of Chicago, followed by Charleston, South Carolina, then Mexia, Texas, and finally settling in Hastings, Minnesota in 1991. Hastings is where Derrick planted his roots, grew up, and later raised his own family.

Derrick graduated from Hastings High School in 1999, always calling himself and his classmates “99ers.” He later went on to Southeast Technical College in Red Wing, where he earned his diploma in Major Appliance Service in May of 2004, and then Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration in December of 2004. He became a Sheet Metal Foreman for Harris Companies and worked there just shy of 20 years. Derrick was so proud to be a Tinner—proud of the trade, proud of the work he did, and he loved all those he worked with like family. He was passionate about his work and loved teaching and mentoring those around him.

Derrick was a loving husband and father. We met in 2011 and shared 14 beautiful years together. He loved me and our three children more than anything in this world. He was immensely proud of each of them and all of their accomplishments.

He loved adventure, being outdoors, sports, and anything powersports. Snow and winter were his favorites, especially ditch-banging on his snowmobile. He loved to hunt, fish, four-wheel, snowmobile, camp, and ride his motorcycle. His infamous words, “Brap Brap Brap,” said it all—Derrick loved anything with handlebars and needed to ride regularly. He also loved his garage time. He could spend hours, days, even whole weekends out there tinkering on one of his many projects. He would always ask, “Can I have some garage time?” and then thank me for it, because his family meant everything to him and he never wanted us to feel like he was ignoring us.

Derrick had a deep love of football—watching the Vikings, playing fantasy football, and most of all, watching Jaxton and his team play football as part of the Hastings Wolfpack family. He was always involved with the kids, coaching or helping in any way he could with their sports. He helped coach basketball, baseball, and football, and he was proud to be a Hastings Raider.

Derrick also had the biggest sweet tooth. Candy and popsicles were his weakness, though recently he had cut back and was so proud of himself for losing almost 100 pounds in the last 10 months.

He always had a big smile and an even bigger bear hug—sometimes pulling you under his shirt if you were lucky. Derrick had one of the biggest hearts you could ever meet. He would give you the shirt off his back and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He cared deeply about the people he loved and was a fierce protector, always making sure we were okay. He loved his family deeply and often reminded us how fast time goes and how important it is to enjoy every minute.

Derrick was full of one-liners and life advice, one of his favorites being: “Be good, or be good at it.” He was the life of the party, and when he walked into a room, his presence was known. His voice and laughter filled the space, and he was always smiling and having a good time. Derrick was a big kid at heart, always playing with the kids, and often said, “If you never slow down, you never grow old.”

He was one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. He believed in working for what you want and never shied away from hard work. He could do almost anything, and if he didn’t know how, he would figure it out.

Derrick will be missed beyond words by his loving wife, Karissa Langeslay; children, Jasmine Langeslay, Lucas Langeslay, and Jaxton Langeslay; parents, Kenneth and Elaine Langeslay; sister, Aasta (Rod) Martin; niece, Justina Lewis; nephew, Jayden Langeslay; brother, Kenneth (Tegan) Langeslay; nieces, Madison Langeslay and Brooklyn Langeslay; mother-in-law, Vickey Garske; fathers-in-law, Paul (Gwen) Garske and David (Veronica) Pope; sister-in-law, Alexis (Conan) Soine; nieces, Destiny Soine and Nova Soine; sister-in-law, Lindsey (Pretty Ricky Dixson) Pope; nieces, Aaliyah Pope-Pillar and Raquelle Dixon; nephew, Ledall Dixon; along with many aunts, uncles, and close friends.

Derrick is preceded in death by his grandparents, Yvonne Mousso, Robert Mousso, Nancy Langeslay, Bill Langeslay, and Uncle Eddie; father-in-law, Harley Dave Johnson; cousin, Ben Mousso; and many close friends.

Services for Derrick will take place at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion Street, Hastings, MN 55033, on Friday, September 19, 2025. A private family service will be held, followed by a public visitation from 4:00–7:00 p.m. Friends and community are warmly invited to attend the visitation to honor Derrick’s memory and support his loved ones.