Tangen, Arthur Olaf 1931 - 2017

TANGEN, OAKLAND, SOEDER, PETERSON, HILLS, DIRKS

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 1/14/2017 at 17:39:40

Arthur Tangen, 85, of Ossian, Iowa passed away Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Gundersen Palmer Health Center in West Union, Iowa. Arthur Olaf, the son of Carl and Agnes (Oakland) Tangen, was born March 11, 1931 in Decorah, Iowa. He graduated from Ossian High School in 1950. Arthur was united in marriage to Marlene Soeder on September 21, 1957. Art and Marlene farmed southwest of Ossian, Iowa for over fifty years on their century farm.
Art had an excellent speaking voice; as a young boy he won the Winneshiek County Declamatory Contest. Art was often asked to read in church and for other community events. He also read bedtime stories to his children that were very well narrated with much inflection.
Art was a man of faith. Loyal, dedicated to his wife and family, and a hard-working man. His sun-weathered hands showed years of working on the farm. Art was a kind hearted and compassionate man. He was strong in his presence, but gentle enough to shed a tear. He took much pride in his tractors and farm equipment; meticulously cleaning, greasing and prepping the machinery for each use. Art was not one to be lavish or spend money on things he felt were unnecessary. He maintained and cared for everything on the farm and took pride in what he had.
Art was a member of Stavanger Lutheran Church, rural Ossian and was active with the church council. Art enjoyed reading, welding, listening to music, dancing with Marlene, spending time with his family, and he loved life on the farm. Art worked on the farm well into his final years. It was a part of his very being. He did not work a day in his life because he was blessed to love what he did.
Art and Marlene were true life companions. They worked side by side each day. They farmed together, raised their children together, laughed and cried together, and prayed together. We take comfort in the belief that they are reunited once again.
Art is survived by three daughters, Mary Peterson of Manchester, Iowa; Lynn Tangen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Joy Tangen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; four grandsons, Zach, Ben, James, and Jacob; sister, Carol (Jared) Hills of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, niece, Kari (Colin) Dirks and family, and nephew, Paul (Cindy) Hills and family.
Art was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene, who died January 5, 2016; his son, Mark; a grandson, Lucas, his parents, Carl and Agnes and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Arnold and Nettie Soeder.
The family would like to thank the Good Samaritan and Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital for all their wonderful care.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Stavanger Lutheran Church, rural Ossian, Iowa. Rev. Wayne Ellingson will be the officiant.
Visitation will be held at 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at the Stavanger Lutheran Church and one hour before services at the church on Friday.
Interment will be held in the church cemetery.
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.

Stavanger Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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