Lucille M. Tangen

Lucille M. Tangen, 88, of Chatfield, passed away Monday, March 7, 2022, at Chosen Valley Care Center with family by her side, which was her dying wish.

Lucille Marlene Rathbone was born March 7, 1934, in rural Chatfield to Archie and Ella (Bothun) Rathbone.

Lucille graduated from Chatfield High School in 1951.  She attended Austin Junior College and obtained a teaching certificate.  She married Merlin Tangen at Pilot Mound Lutheran Church in 1954.  They made their home in rural Fountain, Minn., and were active members of Root Prairie Lutheran Church. She taught in several country schools until beginning to raise her family. During that time, she also was mother to four foster children.  She returned to the workforce in 1971 and served farmers of Fillmore County at Farm Services Agency for 26 years.  After her retirement, she focused her time on volunteering.  She worked with the Mayo Clinic Hospice Program from 2007-2021, and served approximately 1,000 hours of her time.  She was nominated for Hospice Volunteer of the Year in 2018.  She also volunteered many hours to Semcac and RSVP.  She provided  transportation to and from appointments, delivered Meals On Wheels, participated in the R-P Pen Pal program, worked in the Chatfield tourism booth, and volunteered at both Root Prairie Lutheran Church and Chatfield Lutheran Church.  She was a frequent visitor of the residents at Chosen Valley Care Center.  She was a member of a local Red Hats group.  She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution since 2005.  She loved reading, traveling with the F & M Bank Summit Club, spending time with her family, and socializing with the breakfast crew at JW’s Silver Grille.

Lucille is survived by her four children: Mike Tangen of Chatfield, daughter-in-law Sue Tangen of Chatfield, Vicky (Gene) Topness of Lanesboro, Vonnie (Charles) Aug of Preston, and Genie (Nick) Sprau of Chatfield; 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and brother Ellert (Marilyne) Rathbone of Babbit, Minn. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Archie and Ella, husband Merlin, and sister and brother-in-law LaVonne and Verlyn Helgerson. 

Funeral service for Lucille will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2022, at Root Prairie Lutheran Church, in rural Fountain.  Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Joy Ridge Event Center in Chatfield, and one hour before services at the church.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to Chosen Valley Care Center, Mayo Clinic Hospice, Moments Hospice, or Root Prairie Lutheran Church. 

Online condolences are welcome at rileyfuneralhomes.com.