Harlan Bang

Memorial Services for Harlan A. Bang, of Albert Lea, will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Thursday, October 5 at Grace Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Reverend Shane Koepke will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by Albert Lea Veteran’s Organizations.  Friends may visit with family from 4-7 on Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour before the service at the church.  Interment will be in Beaver Creek Cemetery, rural Joice, Iowa at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday. Harlan died surrounded by those he loved, on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at ThorneCrest Retirement Community, Albert Lea. He was 86. He was born on February 24, 1931, in Joice, Iowa, the son of Herman and Edith (Tvedt) Bang.

Harlan graduated from Joice High School, received his A.A. degree from Waldorf College, his B.S. degree from Luther College and later his M.A. from the University of Minnesota. He taught school in Story City, Iowa, for one year before he served our country in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. He married Ardis Lindflott in August of 1958, in Joice, Iowa at the same church where he was baptized and confirmed. Harlan served as District  #241 Elementary School Principal for 35 years, retiring in 1991. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where he had served as a Sunday School Teacher, on church council, on the Personnel Committee and also as an usher. Through the court system, Harlan helped many in our community, young and old alike, to attain independence and manage their affairs. A passion for art, Harlan was active in the Art Center, and found much joy in his own talent for drawing and painting. He loved his family, being involved in his grandchildren’s lives, talking to people and learning their story. He was a great friend to many.

Harlan will be greatly missed by his wife Ardis, his children and their families: Marna (Mark) Levisen of Rochester and son Sam,  Carolyn Bang of Eagan, MN, Julie (Tom) Sorenson of Albert Lea and children Erica and Drew,   Lisa (Greg) Hoffman of Lincoln, NE, and children Elizabeth, Julien, Louis and Violet; brothers: Vernon (Ardis) Bang of Plano, TX, Norman (Melda) Bang of Owatonna, MN, brother-in-law Dean (Shirley) Lindflott of Lake Mills, Iowa and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Alice, age 10, and niece Rhonda Bang.

“Mr. Bang” as many remember him, looked at things as they were, and  imagined what they could be, and spent his life helping others attain what was imagined.  He will be greatly missed.

Family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers.