Funeral services for Viola H. Wangen, age 88, of Manchester, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at West Freeborn Lutheran Church. The Rev. Dennis Frank will officiate. Interment will be in the West Freeborn Cemetery. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. today at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Viola died Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at Albert Lea Medical Center.

Viola Helene Wangen was born July 4, 1913, to Gisle and Ragnild (Vee) Grasdalen in Manchester. She was baptized and confirmed at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. Viola attended District #19 and Albert Lea schools. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1931. On June 24, 1939, Viola was united in marriage to Meyer Kermit Hartz at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Manchester where they ran the Hartz Grocery Store and Meyer was the postmaster. They had two daughters, Myrna and Lynda. Meyer passed away in 1947. Viola married Russell Wangen on Jan. 31, 1957, in Mason City. She had lived in Manchester since 1939.

Viola was a member of West Freeborn Lutheran Church where she had been a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Altar Guild. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Survivors include her husband, Russell; her daughter, Lynda Emstad and husband Omer; grandchildren: Brenda Kelley, Debbie Humann and husband Steve, Tim Fagerberg and wife Heather, Lisa Routh and husband Travis, and Lara Chicos and husband Aaron; great-grandchildren: Sydnie, Jaynie, and Stevie Humann, Thomas Kelley, and Braden Routh; and sister, Inga Laursen.

Viola was preceded in death by her first husband, Meyer Hartz; daughter, Myrna Fagerberg; grandson, Wayne Fagerberg; sisters: Rachel Malmer, Clara Hellie, and Amelia Grasdalen; and brothers: Lars G., George, and Helmer Grasdalen.

Viola was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.