Funeral services for Martha Wangen, 89, of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Oakland Lutheran Church. The Rev. Waldemar Gies will officiate. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Martha died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea.

Martha Caroline Ramsey Wangen was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Freeborn County, to parents John A. and Clara Knutson Ramsey. She was baptized and confirmed at East Freeborn Lutheran Church. She attended Bell School and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1945. She was employed at Farmers State Bank of Hayward until her marriage to Orin J. Wangen on June 27, 1948, at East Freeborn Lutheran Church. She was a member of Oakland Lutheran Church and was active and served in various organizations of the church.

Martha was a hardworking and caring farm wife that took care of her family as well as all of her chickens. She was Orin’s main caregiver for several years. She always had the coffee on, plenty of goodies on hand and looked forward to the grandchildren stopping by or attending functions they were involved in. Martha and Orin spent over 15 years at Happy Days Resort in Nevis. They loved to fish and taught all of their grandchildren to fish.

Martha is survived by her five sons, Kenneth and wife, Diane, of Albert Lea, Steven and wife, Linda, of Blooming Prairie, Donald and his wife, Connie, of Cambridge, Larry and wife, Robin, of Oakland and David of Albert Lea; one daughter, Kathy, and husband, Dennis Kreuscher, of Albert Lea; grandchildren Evan Wangen (Kelsey), Andrew Wangen, Rochelle (Doug) Kilabarda, Jeremy (Brie) Wangen, Nicholas Wangen (Ashleigh), Brian (Sarah) Julson, Kayla (Cass) Bowen, Aaron Julson (Susan), Mandy (Zach) Johnson, Casey Wangen (Tobi), Dustin Wangen, Ashton Wangen, Adison Wangen (Matt), Jason (Joanne) Kreuscher and Lucas (Devan) Kreuscher; 20 great-grandchildren;  sisters Doris Johnson, Janice (Bob) Knutson, Gordon (Ramona) Ramsey, all of Albert Lea and many nieces and nephews. 

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Orin, in 2009; parents; brothers Everett, Hartwick and Alert (Bud); and sisters-in-law Gladys (Roscoe) Nellis and Joanne Ramsey.