Walter S. Wangen, 88 was born on July 3, 1921 to Martin and Betsy (Slinde) Wangen in
Freeborn County.
He died at the
Albert Lea
Medical
Center
on September 14, 2009.
He
was a lifelong resident of
Freeborn
County
.
He married Fern (Frondal) on October 6,
1946. They had five children Arden, Gary, Warren, Dale and Mary.
Services will
be held on Saturday, September 19
th
at 10AM at
Oakland Lutheran Church
22042
850
th
Ave
,
Albert Lea
,
MN
56007
with internment following at
Oakland
Cemetery
, Pastor Robert Berthold
officiating.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 on Friday, September 18
th
at Bonnerup Funeral
Home
2210 East Main Street
,
Albert Lea
,
MN
.
Walter was a lifetime active member of
Oakland
Lutheran
Church
serving with
stewardship, the building committee, the cemetery association and many ministries over
the years.
He served in
Japan
during WWII in the medical corps.
He was a dairy and crop
farmer, along with being active in the community, serving as
County
Commissioner
, on the
boards of St. John’s Lutheran Home, Good Samaritan Society, Mid American Dairy, and the
American Red Cross.
He also was active with ALCM boys and youth ministry, the 4-H and
Boy Scouts.
He was a member of the Sons of Norway and enjoyed five trips to
Norway
where he met many relatives and did research for publishing five family genealogy books.
He enjoyed singing with the Harmony Junction Barbershop, the Oakland Acorn Quartet, the Normanna Singers of the Sons of Norway.
He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion.
Walter is survived by his wife Fern, son Arden (Kleone) Wangen of Albert Lea, son Gary
(Jane) Wangen of Albert Lea, son Warren (Vilita) Wangen of Canyon Country,
California
,
daughter-in-law Brenda Wangen of
Albert Lea
, daughter Mary (Dave) Knurek of Lake Mary
Florida
. Sister Alice (Merrill) Brunmeier Lee of Albert Lea, sister Irene (Norman) Johnson of Ellendale,
brother-in-law Stanley Frondal of Albert Lea, sister-in-law Adeline Cochlin of
Austin
.
He was blessed and 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and
nephews.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Betsy Wangen, in-laws
Knut and Ella Frondal, son Dale Wangen, great granddaughter Kaylee Wangen,
brothers Ivan, Arnold (Bud) and sister-in-law Janice Wangen, sister Berline and brother
-in-law Ernest Johnson, brothers-in-law Arnold Frondal, Mike Cochlin, Vern Brunmeier,
sister-in-law Arlene Frondal.
The family wishes to extend their most sincere thanks to the staff of the
Albert Lea
Medical
Center
and also to Crossroads Community Hospice for the kindness and respect
shown to Walter and his family.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity or to Crossroads
Community Hospice at
404 Fountain Street
W.
Albert Lea,
MN
56007
.
