Edythe P. Gemmel, 100

Edythe P. Gemmel, 100, of Austin, formerly of San Diego, Calif., died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Austin Medical Center.

Edythe was born Oct. 5, 1902, in Austin Township, Mower County, the daughter of Arthur and Fannie (Durst) Gemmel. She attended the Cedar City School and Austin High School. While in Austin she worked at Chuck's Grocery, the Albert Thoms Department Store and Mix Cleaners. On Jan. 4, 1936, she moved to Phoenix, Ariz., with Verna Cory and then on to San Diego, Calif., in 1945. While in San Diego, she worked as a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy for 29 years, retiring on June 19, 1970. In 1992 she moved to St. Paul's Villa retirement community. Following her 100th birthday in October 2002, she returned to Austin to be near her family.

Edythe had a great love for children and said her only disappointment in life was not being allowed to adopt a child as a single person.

She was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

She is survived by sister-in-law, Melda Gemmel, Austin; nieces and nephews; special friend, Marge Bardsley, San Diego, Calif.; and a host of their friends in San Diego.

Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2003, at the cemetery with the Rev. Patricia M. Toschak officiating.

Interment: Cedar City Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary.

Janice LaVone Wangen, 73

Janice LaVone H. (Douglas) Wangen, 73, died March 8, 2003.

She was born Aug. 2, 1929, in Albert Lea, to Lloyd E. and Frances E. Douglas. Janice moved to Spokane, Wash., in 1964 when her husband, Arnold "Bud" Wangen, was transferred to Fairchild AFB. She was active in many organizations, including the Lutheran Church, Ladies Oriental Shrine, Daughters of the Nile and Eastern Star White Rose, Tri-Community Grange No. 1008, 3rd Division Outpost 4, and the Albert Lea Sons of Norway.

She is survived by her children, Kathrine (Larry) Wernecke, Deer Park, Wash.; Marjorie (Clarke) Indahl, Spokane, Wash.; Wesley (Tracy) Wangen, Portland, Ore.; Pauline (Ronald) Blomster, Bothell, Wash.; and Martin (Marti) Wangen, Helena, Mont.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Lorraine (Merton) Munson, Albert Lea; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Walter and Fern Wangen, Oakland; Berline Johnson, Albert Lea; Alice and Merrill Lee, Austin; Irene and Norman Johnson, Clarks Grove.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold "Bud" Wangen; son, Vernon Wangen; parents, Frances and Lloyd Douglas; and brother, Gene Douglas.

Janice was a devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Janice will be greatly missed. She is most remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, ability to make the best of any situation, and her love of hats.

A memorial service was held March 15 at Central Lutheran Church in Spokane.

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2003, at Oakland Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

Interment: Oakland Lutheran Cemetery, Albert Lea.