Mary A. Tangeman

VERNDALE -- Mary A. Tangeman, 77, Verndale, former editor of the Verndale Sun, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, at Fairview-University Medical Center in Minneapolis.

She was born Aug. 23, 1925, in Big Stone City, S.D., to Joseph and Ann Cordie. She graduated from Big Stone City High School in 1944 where she was active in choir, band and class plays. During her senior year, she began working at the Big Stone Headlight, the weekly newspaper. She worked there until moving to Spirit Lake, Iowa, in February 1949 where she was employed as a Linotype operator, printer and reporter at the Spirit Lake Beacon. She was a Linotype operator at the Lyon County Reporter in Rock Rapids, Iowa, in August 1949. She married Don Tangeman. They moved to Albert Lea in August 1956. She occasionally helped out as a Linotype operator for the newspaper in Emmons. They moved to Hackensack in June 1967. They operated a small country commercial printing plant. She worked part time as a Linotype operator for Northern Minnesota Publishing Co., in Walker where several newspapers were published. She served as a Cub Scouts and 4-H leader for several years. On Sept. 1, 1970, she and her husband purchased the Verndale Sun. She was a member of the National and Minnesota Newspaper Associations. She was a charter member of the Verndale Historical Society, serving as a board member and later as secretary for many years. She served on the Centennial committee for Verndale's 100th Founders Day celebration and was named celebration grand marshal in 1991 and Verndale's Sorehead in 1992. She was a charter member of the Verndale Lionesses, serving as reporter for many years. She was the PTSA treasurer from 1980-82, receiving top state awards for three consecutive years for reporting on its events and recognition as Friend of Education by the faculty. She was instrumental in founding the Verndale Promoters in 1986, serving as its president until 1996. She served on the steering committee and selection committee for the Blandin Foundation Leadership Training session. She chaired the first Wadena County Citizen of the Year selection committee. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, secretary for the Verndale Visionaries, participated in the Ecumenical choir in Albert Lea. She served as assistant and home counselor for Merry Belles Homemakers. She was an RSVP senior volunteer, an election judge and was in various capacities in her church including religious education teacher, quilting and secretary for the Christian Mothers.

Survivors include two sons, Charles and Richard Tangeman; four grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; three sisters, Cynthia Strei, Alexandria, Joan Cloos, Big Stone City, S.D., and Bernadette Struck, Dawson; and a brother, Joseph Cordie, Richmond.

Her husband; an infant daughter, Christine; and a sister, Delores Becker, died earlier.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Frederick's Catholic Church in Verndale with Father Albert Holmes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at Bielema Family Funeral Home in Verndale with Christian Mothers rosary at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:30 p.m.