Richard "Dick" Tangen

Richard "Dick" Tangen, 70, of Stewartville,Mn. died Thursday (March 19, 2012) at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after courageously fighting a nearly 2-year long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dick was born on the family farm near Ostrander,Mn. on January 29, 1942 to Orvin and Cora(Moen) Tangen. He was baptized and confirmed at Bloomfield Lutheran Church and attended elementary school in Ostrander. He graduated from Leroy-Ostrander H.S. in 1960. Following graduation he worked for the Chicago Great Western Railroad, John Deere Tractor Co. and a cabinet shop. In May of 1962, Dick volunteered and entered the U.S. Army, serving 2 years, including 13 months in Korea. Following his discharge, he was employed briefly at Crenlo,Inc. before joining IBM in Rochester in October of 1964 where he was employed as a machinist and tool and model maker until his retirement in 1994. On June 28, 1969 Dick was united in marriage to Janice "Jan" Bishop at Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester. They made their home in Stewartville where they raised their children in the home they have shared for 42 years. Jan was a homemaker and following his retirement Dick was employed part-time at 3-D Tool and Design, Pemstar and Benchmark companies. They were past members of Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester and were current members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander.
Dick was always involved with his chidren's activities including coaching summer youth baseball. One of his greatest joys was becoming a grandfather and his grandchildren will always fondly remember him playing his guitar and harmonica while they sang and danced to the beautiful music. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed reading, gardening, playing his guitar, woodworking and watching all sports. He loved playing golf and belonged to a bowling league in Stewartville. A huge part of Dick's life was operating the Tangen family farm in rural Ostrander. He was proud of it's designation as a Century Farm and that his two grandsons are the 6th generation to live on the farm.

Dick will be greatly missed by his beloved wife Jan / his children - Jennifer(David) Clementsen of Lake City,Mn. and Matthew(Cindy)of rural Ostrander/ his grandchildren - Laura and Johannah Clementson and Connor and Noah Tangen/ a sister and three brothers - Roger of Spring Valley,Mn./ Jon(Diane) of Eyota,Mn./ Craig(Peggy) of Rochester,Mn. and his sister - Dorinda(Larry) Leutink of Hayfield,Mn and many neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, an unborn son, and his sister - Dorothy Bundy. 

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday (3-20-12) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander with Rev. Jane Timmerman officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Sunday(3-18-12) at Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. and 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Monday morning. Dick was a member of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 and they will perform military graveside honors at his committal service at Bloomfield Cemetery in rural Ostrander.
The family prefers memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church or Bloomfield Cemetery or to Mayo Hospice. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville www.griffin-gray.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard "Dick" Tangen, please visit our floral store.