Gary Ross Vangen was born on July 3, 1942, the son of Minord and Harriet (Anderson) Vangen in New Richland. He was baptized on Aug. 23, 1942, at First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, and confirmed June 2, 1957. Gary graduated from Ellendale High School in 1960. Following graduation he was employed by the bank in Hope. In 1963, he was hired by Security State Bank of Albert Lea.

Gary married Julianne Wuerflein on Sept. 7, 1963, at Grace Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. In December 1963 they moved to Mason City, Iowa, where Gary was employed by United Home Bank and Trust Co. In 1964, his eldest son Jason was born, followed by Daniel in 1966. In 1968, Gary became manager of the Woden Branch of First State Bank, Britt, Iowa. From 1973 to 1975 he worked for Peoples Bank and Trust of Grand Junction, Iowa. In 1975, he started a 30-year employment at Security State Bank of Howard Lake, retiring in March 2005.

Gary was active in many community and church organizations. He had been president of the Wright County Bankers Association, Treasurer of St. John&8217;s Lutheran Church, active in the annual Howard Lake Expo, the Howard Lake Good Neighbor Days, and the Lake Chapter of ABATE until his health no longer permitted.

Throughout his life Gary had a passion for sports. He participated in all high school sports and played in town team baseball upon graduation. He coached little league baseball in Iowa. He loved watching the Twins, Vikings, and Gophers. Gary enjoyed camping and traveling, particularly in the Canadian Rockies. He grew up on a farm with horses and enjoyed collecting model horses and displaying them hitched to wagons and farm implements.

Gary died on Monday, Oct. 23, 2006, at St. Cloud Hospital.

He is survived by his wife: Julianne Vangen of Howard Lake; two sons, Jason Vangen and wife

Davida of Lewiston, Ind., and Daniel Vangen of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; one grandson, Larry Block of Maryland; one step-grandson, MacKenzie (Max) Kelly of Lewiston, Ind.; one sister, Sharon Marthaler and husband Herman of Cambridge; one brother, James and wife Carolyn of Albert Lea; his mother-in-law, Vione Wuerflein of Albert Lea; one brother-in-law, Jerome Wuerflein and wife DeLoris of Albert Lea; two sisters-in-law: Maureen Ruble and husband Glenn of Albert Lea, and Frances Thompson of Albert Lea; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, David; his father-in-law, Milford Wuerflein; and two nephews: Brent Marthaler and Milford Wuerflein II.