Arlene Ann Wangen
MANKATO — Arlene Ann Gellert Wangen, age 89, of Mankato, Minn., passed away Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, at her home with family by her side. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato. The funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at the church in Mankato with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Woodland Hills Memorial Park. Please share a memory of Arlene and view her video tribute at www.mankatomortuary.com
Arlene was born April 10, 1934, in Fairmont, Minn., to Fred and Wilhelmina (Loeslin) Gellert. Arlene was the sixth of eight children, having two brothers and five sisters. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. She graduated from Fairmont High School then nursing school at Abbott Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minn., graduating as a registered nurse. She worked nearly 40 years in nursing in various positions. She was united in marriage to George Wangen on March 9, 1956. Arlene and George were blessed with three children, Pamela, Kevin, and Cheryl, and lived in Mankato their entire 55+ years of marriage until George’s passing in 2011.
Arlene loved God and was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato since 1957 and was active in the church choir and Bible study. She loved the many church activities and the fellowship of her church family. Arlene was always busy and active, doing puzzles, golfing, bowling, playing bridge, quilting, going for long walks in the park, visiting homebound people, music, watching the Minnesota Twins, going for rides to see the bison, and traveling with her sisters. Arlene loved Lake Superior and the Split Rock Lighthouse. She baked delicious homemade bread, which she shared with her family, friends, neighbors, and church family. She adored her family, and so enjoyed their visits.
Arlene is survived by her children, Pamela (John) Rau, Kevin Wangen, and Cheryl Wangen Wenzlau; her grandchildren, Jeremiah (Kelsey Rose) Rau, Alyssa (Brad) Milliren, Nathaniel Rau, Lucas Wangen, Dylan (Emily Welsch) Wenzlau; great-grandchildren, Calvin and Ellie Milliren, and Hopper and Wilder Wenzlau; sister, Pauline Broske; sister-in-law, Gladys Gellert; brother-in-law, Skip Wangen; and her many nieces, nephews, church friends and family. Arlene was preceded in death by her dear husband, George; siblings, Lorin, Lacorda, Lyda, Marvin, Katy and Adeline; and her parents, Fred and Minnie. Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato.
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