JoAnne Wangen-Fink, 1937-2016

Published 8:51 am Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Funeral services for JoAnne Marliss Wangen-Fink, 79, of Albert Lea will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Bear Lake Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daphne Hamborg will officiate. Interment will be at Bear Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

JoAnne died Sunday, July 24, 2016, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

JoAnne Wangen-Fink

JoAnne M. Wangen-Fink was born Jan. 28, 1937, in Freeman Township, the daughter of Orin and Carmen (Amundson) Quam. She was baptized on March 21, 1939, at Round Prairie Lutheran Church and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith April 22, 1951, at East Freeborn Lutheran Church. She attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School and completed one year at teacher’s college in Winona. She worked at a taxi company in the 50s where she met Duane Wangen. On Dec. 4, 1955, she was united in marriage to Duane, who passed away in 1980. On June 9, 1984, JoAnne married Roger Fink. She held a variety of jobs as a cook and baker. JoAnne was a member of Bear Lake Lutheran Church, where she was Sunday school superintendent and teacher and a member of Rachel circle and the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association. She also served as a 4-H Leader and volunteered with the St. John’s Auxiliary.

Her hobbies included reading, crossword puzzles, family history and genealogy and quilting. She was an excellent hostess who enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family — especially her children and grandchildren.  Her strong Christian faith was a constant throughout her life.

JoAnne is survived by her children Margaret Wangen, Matthew (Sharon) Wangen, Marcia (Jeff) Bauers, Martin Wangen and Melissa Wangen; grandchildren Mary Wangen, Elizabeth Wangen, Joshua Wangen and Rachel Wangen; sister, Mary (Lynn) Overson; siblings-in-law Phyllis Quam, Janiece Quam, Ginny (John) Light, Harriet Wangen, Wally (Sue) Fink, Joan Mattick, Marge (Don) Laugen and Dwayne (Edna) Fink; aunt, Aletha Amundson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her husbands Duane Wangen and Roger Fink; parents, Orin and Carmen Quam; brothers Jerry, Paul and Bill; sister, Barb (Bud) Bolinger; brothers-in-law Marvin (Beatrice) Wangen and Gary Wangen; nephew, Richard Bolinger; and niece, Julie Quam.