WANGSNESS, Elmer Melvin 1908-2000

TOLLEFSON, WANGSNESS, LEE, HARTL, ARNESS, MEYER

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/1/2010 at 13:07:45

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, January 18, 2000

Elmer Wangsness

Elmer Melvin Wangsness, 91, of Decorah, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2000, at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 11 a.m., at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Kim Smith officiating.

Paul Bruvold was the organist. Orville and Dorothy Halverson sang a duet, "Softly and Tenderly" and "Whispering Hope." The congregation sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace."

Casket bearers were Robert Arness, Leon Felke, Nanferd Felke, Kelly Meyer, Kenneth Meyer and Kenneth Wangsness.

The Fjelstul Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Elmer was born Nov. 4, 1908, on a farm near Jerico, at the home of his parents, Ellend and Martha (Tollefson) Wangsness.

He was baptized Dec. 6, 1908, at Crane Creek Lutheran near Jerico and was confirmed June 15, 1924, at Calmar Lutheran Church.

He completed eighth grade at the Nerlie School, which was near the Springfield Lutheran Church in Springfield Township.

Elmer was married to Hazel Lee June 7, 1936, at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. He was a member of Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, where he served on the Building Committee for the Church Parish Hall and was a trustee for several years.

Elmer farmed all his life and hauled cream for 21 years to the Nordness Creamery, part of the time hauling with teams of horses.

He was a Springfield Township trustee and was a founding trustee of the Ossian-Frankville Fire Dept.

He received the Winneshiek County Distinguished Service Award from the Soil Conservation District for his service as a district commissioner from 1956-63.

Elmer was on the Nerlie School House Board of Directors, was a member of Farm Bureau for many years, was a charter member of Have Horse - Will Travel Saddle Club, and a lifetime member of Winneshiek County Saddle Club.

Elmer and Hazel retired and moved to Decorah in 1983. For the next 10 years, they delivered meals to senior citizens in Calmar, Fort Atkinson and Burr Oak in an old hearse. In addition to his contributions to family and community, Elmer and Hazel will be remembered for participation with their horses in area parades and for their grace and proficiency on the dance floor.

Elmer had been a resident of the Aase Haugen Home since Aug. 31, 1998.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel; two sons and one daughter, Wayne and Cheryl Wangsness of Decorah, Kathleen Hartl of Calmar, and Neil Wangsness of Decorah; seven grandchildren, Amy, Ryan, Karin and Philip Wangsness, Julie and Daniel Hartl, and Tami Brincks and husband Aaron; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Elmer Wangsness was preceded in death by his parents; an infant granddaughter; two sisters, Bertha Arness and Marie Meyer; and one brother, Henry Wangsness.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.