Annie M. Tangen

Annie was born August 30, 1916, at Cromwell Township, MN. She was the first of nine children born to Sidney John Ford and Rose Elizabeth Burnside Ford, of Hawley, MN.Annie attended Dist. 104 Country School through the 8th grade and then attended school in Hawley. In her early 20's she met a very handsome young man by the name of Melgard Benhardt Tangen. They were married on September 8, 1940, at Hawley Lutheran Church, by Rev. S. G. Hauge. Annie and Melgard celebrated 69 years of marriage. Annie and Melgard lived and farmed in the Muskoda area west and south of Hawley. They raised five children: Richard Benhardt, Beverley Ann, Melvin Clifford, Karen Deloris, and Elaine Mae. Annie was a very active and hard working person while raising their five children. Her family belonged to the Silver Lake 4-H Club where Annie served as 4-H leader for many years. She was also active in her church as a member of Ladies Aid. She enjoyed and took great pride in making many, many quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Every year she could be counted on to stitch quilts that were donated to charity. She was also a member of the Muskoda Homemakers Club. She enjoyed traveling on group tours to Canada, Washington D.C., and the International Peace Gardens. Annie and Melgard retired from farming in 1976 and moved to Hawley. Their son, Melvin, built their home in Hawley. Annie is survived by her children: Beverley Tang of Bismarck, ND, Melvin Lourdes Tangen of Breckenridge, MN, Karen Marv Lofgren of Sterling, IL, and Elaine Jake Jacobson of Mandan, ND, and a daughter-in-law Ginger Johnson Tangen of Grand Forks, ND, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister Irene Kluck of Hawley. She was preceded in death by her husband Melgard, a son Richard, her parents Sidney and Rose Ford, brothers Lester, William, Ralph, Henry, Ernest and Clyde in infancy, and sisters Lucille Lepper and Dorothy Kluck.