Marjorie Helen Brighton Wangen, 88

Published 10:32 am Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Funeral services for Marjorie Helen Brighton Wangen, of Albert Lea, will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Oakland Lutheran Church in rural Albert Lea. The Rev. Al Stoa and Rev. Cheryl Szoba will officiate. Interment will be in Oakland Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may visit with family from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church.

Marjorie died on Sunday, July 14, 2013, at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea. She was 88.

She was born in Winnebago County, Iowa, at the family farm on June 9, 1925, to James and Rose (Baker) Brighton. She was united in marriage to Luther T. Wangen on Sept. 15, 1946. He preceded her in death on Dec. 4, 1981. To this union three children were born: Marlowe, Rose and Lowell.

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Marjorie was active in church, serving as Sunday school teacher, mission and cemetery board member and served as parish secretary for 10 years. She was employed by the District Court of Freeborn County from 1967, until retiring in 1986. She was a board member of Senior Resources. She was life member of Sons of Norway, Normanna No. 52, of Albert Lea, where she held various offices.

Marjorie like being outdoors, caring for her garden and flowers, doing yard work and feeding and watching the birds. She loved to read and helped her nieces do the family’s genealogy.

She and Luther loved to travel both in the states and to Norway, visiting his relatives in Norway and hers in England. After Luther’s death, Marjorie took many bus trips in the states. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always interested in what they were doing; with love and caring.

Marjorie is survived by her three children, Marlowe and Cobi Wangen of Hayward, Rose Severtson of Prior Lake and Lowell Wangen of Hayward; grandchildren, Heather and Todd Holtan of Pine Island, Matthew and Gretchen Wangen of Hayward, Luke Wangen of Hayward, Karen and James Koewler and Alison and Megan of Chaska, Tammie Severtson and Dave McElwain and Samantha, Emily and Jessica of Prior Lake; sister, Beverly and husband Ray Nedved of Mason City; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Norma Brighton, Elnora Krueger and Omer and Gerri Wangen; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rose Brighton; her husband, Luther, in 1981; son-in-law, Larry Severtson; and brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and other relatives.

Blessed be her memory!

Memorials suggested to Oakland Lutheran Church.