1920
Francis
2011
Francis Tangen
July 27, 1920 — May 21, 2011
Memorial services for Francis Tangen of Starbuck, MN will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home Commons in Starbuck, MN. Reverend Jim Gronewold will be officiating. Marsha Gronewold will serve as organist for the service with Bev Helgaas serving as soloist. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home. A second service will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Minnesota. Reverend Anne Pairan will be officiating. Danette Gwin will serve as organist for the service with Bev Helgaas and Greg Anderson providing special music. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Twin Valley Memorial Cemetery in Twin Valley.
Francis Raymond Tangen, son of Henry and Alma (Haugen) Tangen, was born July 27, 1920 in Fosston, Minnesota, where he grew up and began his schooling. Francis graduated from Fosston High School in 1938. In 1944, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in World War II. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. On April 30, 1949, he was united in marriage to Ruth Borud at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Fosston, where Francis worked as a creamery operator in Fosston, McIntosh and Winger, Minnesota and later worked for Land O'Lakes as a boiler maker. For 26 years he served as postmaster in Winger and Twin Valley and also owned and operated the Sioux Café and Grocery Store in Winger. In 2000, Francis and Ruth retired to the Glenwood/Starbuck area. Ruth died on June 8, 2009 and Francis has continued to live in Starbuck since that time.
Francis served as Mayor of Twin Valley for many years. He was a member of the Lions in Winger and Twin Valley and the VFW/American Legion in Winger, Flom, Twin Valley and Starbuck. He was a charter member of East Polk County Developmental Achievement Center and served on the National Association of Postmasters. He was a board member of the RSVP. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards and playing guitar. He especially enjoyed spending time and attending sporting events of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Francis died on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, Minnesota. He lived to reach the age of 90 years.
He is survived by his children: Cynthia Johnson of Gully, Ray (Marilyn) Tangen of Rock Springs, WY, Dale Tangen of Glenwood and Beverly (Craig) Helgaas of Glenwood; five grandchildren: Aleta (Brent) Behrens of Bismarck, ND, Nicholas Helgaas of Minneapolis, Krista Tangen of Rock Springs, WY, Raelynn Tangen of Rock Springs, WY and Sara (Grant) Maasjo of Villard; two great-grandchildren: Gabe Maasjo of Villard and Nolan Behrens of Bismarck, ND and one sister-in-law: Marion Tangen of Chula Vista, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; son-in-law: Darrell Johnson and his brothers: Orvin and Arnold Tangen and sisters: Charlotte Steinbrenner, Josephine Hedmen, Lilah Chadwich, Hilda Breece and Florence Storrusten.
Francis's grandchildren will serve as urn bearers for the service. Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.
Francis Raymond Tangen, son of Henry and Alma (Haugen) Tangen, was born July 27, 1920 in Fosston, Minnesota, where he grew up and began his schooling. Francis graduated from Fosston High School in 1938. In 1944, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in World War II. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. On April 30, 1949, he was united in marriage to Ruth Borud at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Fosston, where Francis worked as a creamery operator in Fosston, McIntosh and Winger, Minnesota and later worked for Land O'Lakes as a boiler maker. For 26 years he served as postmaster in Winger and Twin Valley and also owned and operated the Sioux Café and Grocery Store in Winger. In 2000, Francis and Ruth retired to the Glenwood/Starbuck area. Ruth died on June 8, 2009 and Francis has continued to live in Starbuck since that time.
Francis served as Mayor of Twin Valley for many years. He was a member of the Lions in Winger and Twin Valley and the VFW/American Legion in Winger, Flom, Twin Valley and Starbuck. He was a charter member of East Polk County Developmental Achievement Center and served on the National Association of Postmasters. He was a board member of the RSVP. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards and playing guitar. He especially enjoyed spending time and attending sporting events of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Francis died on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, Minnesota. He lived to reach the age of 90 years.
He is survived by his children: Cynthia Johnson of Gully, Ray (Marilyn) Tangen of Rock Springs, WY, Dale Tangen of Glenwood and Beverly (Craig) Helgaas of Glenwood; five grandchildren: Aleta (Brent) Behrens of Bismarck, ND, Nicholas Helgaas of Minneapolis, Krista Tangen of Rock Springs, WY, Raelynn Tangen of Rock Springs, WY and Sara (Grant) Maasjo of Villard; two great-grandchildren: Gabe Maasjo of Villard and Nolan Behrens of Bismarck, ND and one sister-in-law: Marion Tangen of Chula Vista, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; son-in-law: Darrell Johnson and his brothers: Orvin and Arnold Tangen and sisters: Charlotte Steinbrenner, Josephine Hedmen, Lilah Chadwich, Hilda Breece and Florence Storrusten.
Francis's grandchildren will serve as urn bearers for the service. Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis Tangen, please visit our flower store.