Gene D. Wangen, age 73, of Albert Lea, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2002, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. with visitation held at 10 a.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel in Albert Lea.

Mr. Wangen was born Oct. 1, 1929, to Elvin G. and Marie (Kallestad) Wangen at Brush Creek Township, Bricelyn, Faribault County.

He attended rural school in Brush Creek Township and later in Winnebago and Blue Earth.

Gene Wangen was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army, serving most of his time after boot camp in Berlin, Germany, during the years of 1951-52.

Gene enjoyed a lot of sports in his younger and middle years: boxing, football, swimming, horseshoes, etc. He loved music and dancing.

Gene was employed in farm work and construction, before and after his honorable discharge from the Army. He then worked many years at Queen Stoves in Albert Lea. After retiring from Queen Stoves, he then worked at the I-35 rest area out of Albert Lea for a few years.

He married Mary Lou Shannon on March 8,1959. They lived in Austin, and then later in Albert Lea.

Mr. Wangen is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Albert Lea; son, Jeff and his son of Tucson, Ariz..; stepchildren: Cindy Slickenger and her husband Dennis of Kentucky, and Randy VanBrunt of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three brothers: George Wangen and his wife of Mankato, James Wangen of St. Paul, and Skip Wangen of Blue Earth; one sister, Lola Joyce Wangen Handahl of Austin; six step grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren.