Funeral services for Violet E. Wangen, of Albert Lea, will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday at the United Methodist Church of Albert Lea. The Rev. Tom Biatek will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour before the service at the church.

Violet died on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, at St. John’s Lutheran Home. She was 89. She was born on May 29, 1922, in Emmons, the daughter of Leo and Bernice (Powers) Swehla. Violet graduated from Albert High School in 1940, and then continued her education with business training for shorthand.

She was united in marriage to Ray Wangen on Dec. 16, 1940, in Mason City, Iowa. Her priorty in life was to make her house a home for her family. Every holiday was made special as she prepared all the food and brought everyone together. After her children were grown she had worked for a time at St. John’s Lutheran Home and United PreSchool. She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church, where she had served as a Sunday school teacher for more than 45 years and enjoyed UMW and Mary Grace Circle. She was a member of the Home Extension Club, and had volunteered at the Freeborn County Historical Society and in the Horticulture Building at the Freeborn County Fair for more than 35 years.

She will be greatly missed by her family: sons: Dean (Carolyn) Wangen of Albert Lea, Ronald (Judy) Wangen of Northwood, Iowa, Wayne Wangen of Albert Lea, Guy Wangen of Medford, daughter-in-law Ellen Wangen of Winona, 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; sister Leona Schaffer of Des Moines, Iowa, sister-in-law Marge Swehla of Alden, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray, son Keith and three brothers Merlyn, Gerald and Leo F. “Bud” Swehla.

Blessed be her Memory! The family wishes to thank Sheltering Arms, St. John’s Lutheran Home for the special care Violet received.