Walter S. Wangen, 88, died at the Albert Lea Medical Center on Sept. 14, 2009. He was born July 3, 1921 to Martin and Betsy (Slinde) Wangen in Freeborn County and was a lifelong resident there. He married Fern (Frondal) Oct. 6, 1946. They had five children: Arden, Gary, Warren, Dale and Mary.
Walter was a lifetime active member of Oakland Lutheran Church, serving with stewardship, the building committee, the cemetery association and many ministries.
He served in Japan during World War II in the medical corps. He was a dairy and crop farmer, along with being active in the community, serving as a county commissioner, on the boards of St. John’s Lutheran Home, Good Samaritan Society, Mid American Dairy and the American Red Cross. He was also active with ALCM boys and youth ministry, 4-H and Boy Scouts. He was a member of 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 and the Normanna Singers of the Sons of Norway. He was a member of the VFW and 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, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Brenda Wangen, of Albert Lea; daughter, Mary (Dave) Knurek, of Lake Mary, Fla; 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 with 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Walter ins 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 Albert Lea Medical Center and also to Crossroads Community Hospice for the kindness and respect shown to Walter’s family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity or to Crossroads Community Hospice, 404 Fountain St. W. in Albert Lea.
Services will be held Saturday Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at Oakland Lutheran Church, 22042 850th Ave. in Albert Lea, with internment following at the Oakland Cemetery, Pastor Robert Berthold officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 at Bonnerup Funeral Home, 2210 E. Main St. in Albert Lea.