Walter Wangen, 88

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Walter S. Wangen, 88, was born on July 3, 1921, to Martin and Betsy (Slinde) Wangen in Freebom County. He died at the Albert Lea Medical Center on Sept. 14, 2009.
He was a lifelong resident of Freeborn County. He married Fem (Frondal) on Oct. 6, 1946. They had five children Arden, Gary, Warren, Dale and Mary.
Services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Oakland Lutheran Church 22042 850th Ave, Albert Lea, with interment following at the Oakland Cemetery. The Rev. Robert Berthold will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Home 2210 E. Main St., Albert Lea.
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 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 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 Acom 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 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, Vem Brunmeier; and 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 St. W., Albert Lea, MN 56007.