Orville Tangen
Orville Edne Tangen, 99, of Chatfield, MN died Sunday, September 18, 2016 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital St. Mary’s Campus. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 22 at Root Prairie Lutheran Church, Fountain, MN, with Rev. Grace Gravelle officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 21 at Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield, MN and one hour before the funeral service at the church. A committal service with full military honors will follow the service at Root Prairie Lutheran Cemetery.
Orville was born October 9, 1916 on a farm in Chatfield Township to Theodore and Alma (Asleson) Tangen. He enlisted in the Army in 1941 with the Fifth Armored Division stationed in New York and later shipped overseas to Europe (March 1943). First he was a cook for over 800 in his battalion. He later drove a tank across Europe until coming home in October of 1945. He served in the Battle of the Bulge.
April 17, 1943 Orville married Helen Strom in McMinnville, TN. After the war the couple farmed in rural Fountain, MN milking and raising Holsteins. After back surgery in 1967 and again in July 1969 Orville had to give up farming. He then became a field tester for the Preston Creamery for 10 years. They then moved to Chatfield, MN. They enjoyed dancing, playing cards and going out to dinner with friends.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion for over 70 years and a member of the Color Guard. He enjoyed marching in many parades.
Orville was a lifetime and oldest member of Root Prairie Lutheran Church, where he served on the Parish Council and took care of the church and cemetery for many years.
Orville is lovingly remembered by four children: Robert (Sue Sandberg) Tangen of Plainview, MN, Dianne (Del) Jones of Aitkin, MN, Sharon (John) Dowd of Duluth, MN and Marlene (Dennis) Blocker of Waukon; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; his sisters-in-law, Thelma Tangen of Rochester, MN and Lucille Tangen of Chatfield, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Orville was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents; and three brothers.
“You’ve earned a place in heaven, Dad. After all you been through I wish I could have helped you, but there was nothing I could do. Peacefully sleeping now, out of pain. I would not wake you up to suffer again.”
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Root Prairie Lutheran Church or the Chosen Valley Care Center. Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield, MN is assisting the family with arrangements.
To share a memory, visit www.rileyfuneralhomes.com.
