The funeral service for Werner Willard Bangert will be held 1 p.m. Friday, May 14, at First Lutheran Church, Albert

Lea. The Rev. Reggie Klindworth will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour before the service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea veterans’ organizations.

Werner died on Monday, May 10, 2004, at Good Samaritan Center in Albert Lea.

He was 81 years old.

Werner was born in Freeborn County, Pickerel Lake Township, on April 12, 1923, the son of Fred and Martha (Schmidt) Bangert. He was baptized and confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Pickerel Lake Church. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1942. During World War II he served in the U.S. Merchant Marines.

On Jan. 12, 1965, Werner was united in marriage with Phyllis (Peal) Stiehl. He had been an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hollandale before transferring his membership to First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

He had worked as a custodian at Albert Lea City Hall for 16 years, drove a milk truck for Co-op Creamery, drove truck for National Welding, and drove a cab in Albert Lea. He enjoyed camping, woodworking, and bike riding.

He was fond of time spent with his family and grandchildren.

Werner is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Albert Lea; children: Jay and Kerry Bangert of Albert Lea, and Carey and Karri Bangert of Albert Lea; stepson, Robert and Sue Stiehl of Albert Lea; ex-wife, Lee Bangert of Albert Lea, and their daughter, Jody and Dan Nordstrom of Wahoo, Neb.; 10 grandchildren:

Amy (Mike) Jones, Jeff (Jola) Godtland, Steve Godtland Jr., Michelle (Ben) Hayes, Joe (Carrie) Bangert, Ashley and Tristian Bangert, Randy (Sara) Sylvara, Mark Sylvara, and Steve (Pam) Sylvara; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Melvin (Peggy) Bangert of Albert Lea; sisters:

Mavis (Les) Chapman of Kansas, and Margaret Prihoda of Blooming Prairie; and sisters-in-law: Marian Bangert, Lorraine Dillavou, Deloris King, Dorothy Godtland, and Beverly JoAnne Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Wayne Bangert; daughter, Gail Bangert;

brothers:

Ernest, Carl, Arthur, Frederick, Harold and Arnold Bangert; sisters:

Louise Neist, Marie Erickson, Elvira Foss and Eileen Berninzoni; and stepsons:

Gordy Stiehl and Tom Stiehl.

Blessed by his memory.