Donald LuVerne Wangen, 86, of Lanesboro, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2017 at The Cedars in Austin, Minn.
Don was born April 5, 1930, in Lanesboro, to Adolph and Mathilda (Olson) Wangen. He attended Country School through seventh grade, walking uphill, both ways, while barefoot. He then attended Lanesboro School beginning in the eighth grade, and graduated in 1948. After school, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps from 1948-1952.
On May 28, 1955, he married Dolores Fox in Rochester, Minn. He held various bartending jobs over the years, but his career was in the plumbing and heating industry. After marrying Dolores, he began an apprenticeship that lasted four years, then started his own business, and was self-employed until he retired for the first time in 1985. After retirement, he accepted a job as superintendent of the hydro plant in Lanesboro, which lasted until he retired for a second time in 1995. He then went on to work with contractors in the area, doing the plumbing and heating on new townhomes and houses.
Don was a member of the volunteer fire department for over 36 years, and the volunteer ambulance department for 25 years. He was a member of the American Legion for 65 years, and served multiple terms as post Commander. He was also a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Don was a lifetime resident of the Lanesboro, Minn., area until the time he moved, along with his wife, Dolores, to a memory care facility in Austin, Minn. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage, and was known for his sense of humor and endless supply of (sometimes inappropriate) jokes!
He is survived by his wife, Dolores, of Austin, Minn.; two sons, Tom Wangen of Farmington, Minn., and Tim (Dolly) Wangen, of Kendall, Wis.; one daughter, Molly (Jeff) LeBarron, of Austin, Minn.; one sister, Alice Johnson, of Dodge Center, Minn.; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Tillie; one brother, Alvin; and five sisters: Mabel, Doris, Phyllis, Junie, and Ruby.
The funeral for Don will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 4, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro, with Pastor Kerry Eversole officiating. Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Lanesboro Cemetery, with Military Honors by Lanesboro American Legion Post No. 40.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro is assisting the family with arrangements.
To share condolences with the family, please visit rileyfuneralhomes.com.