Marion W. Tangren, 100

Published 7:01 am Sunday, January 1, 2017

Marion W. Tangren, 100, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at Good Samaritan Comforcare.

Marion was born Nov. 12, 1916, in Evanston, Illinois, to Vernon and Ruth (Handy) Ward. She graduated high school in Evanston then attended DePauw University in Indiana for two years before she married Chester Andrew Tangren of Evanston in 1938.

The couple lived in Des Moines, Iowa and Watertown, South Dakota until 1982. While in Watertown, Marion was the Executive Secretary for the American Red Cross for 20 years. After her husband died in 1975, she decided to finish her college education, so she moved to Gainesville, GA, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brenau College. In 1989, she moved to Austin to be near a son and family.

Tangren

Marion’s life always centered on her family, church and community. In Austin, she held many positions in the Westminster Presbyterian Church Women’s organization and belonged to Symphony Study Club and Art and Travel Club. Marion was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She was an avid bridge player, a reader and a follower of current events.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chester; sister, Ruth Achauer; and two brothers, Vernon C. Ward, Jr. and Frank Ward.

Marion is survived by her sons and their wives: Frank and Heather Tangren of Atlanta, Peter and Bonnie Tangren of Austin, and John and Jean Tangren of Watertown, South Dakota; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren with another due in February; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Olmsted officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour before the service. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Watertown, South Dakota, on Friday, Jan. 6.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Presbyterian Women (PWC) of Westminster Presbyterian Church or the Mower County Humane Society.

Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.