Mary V. Tangen

Mary Tangen, 89, died March 21, 2025 at Eventide Nursing Home in Moorhead, MN. Mary Vivian Tangen was born October 3, 1935, at Jamestown, ND. to Thelma (Morris) Elstad and Alvin O. Elstad. Her family lived in Drayton, Linton, and Mohall, ND, settling in Bismarck, ND, where she graduated from high school. She attended one year of Bismarck Junior College, then Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1957.

Mary loved music. At age 10 she began playing the piano for church services at the Lutheran Church in Mohall. From then on, she took organ lessons (both electronic and pipe), accompanying groups and individuals on the piano, and playing for funerals and weddings. She also directed church choirs. Mary was a member of the American Guild of Organists and was very active in her church.

She married her husband, Kenneth M. Tangen of Lisbon, ND in 1956. They lived in Badger, MN for a year where Mary taught music in the public schools. They then moved to Greenbush, MN where Mary taught grade school music for a year, then stayed home to raise their family. In 1962 they moved to Moorhead MN where Ken taught at the high school. Mary was a Brownie, Campfire Girls and Cub Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and room mother for her children’s classes. Mary served as church organist at Christ the King Lutheran Church and was a frequent sub at Trinity Lutheran. She worked as an administrative assistant at South Junior High School and later in several departments at Concordia College.

Mary and Ken enjoyed travelling to Hawaii together. Mary appreciated good humor, nature, color, and leading Bible Studies. She loved being with her family and seeing the grandchildren grow up.

Mary is survived by her children: Eric (Loralie), Osawatamie, KS; Robert (ReNae) Perham, MN; Julie (Bill) Steen, Park Rapids, MN; Kirsti (Mark) Jensen, Richfield, MN; thirteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; her sister Jean Dutton of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister-in-law Marian Elstad of Palatine, Illinois; sister-in-law June Tangen of Ankeny, Iowa, plus many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death on Jan. 16th, 2025 by Kenneth, her husband of 68 years; her parents; brother Robert Elstad; sister Mavis Nienow; an infant brother, and brother-in-law, Robert D. Tangen.

The family thanks the staff at Eventide–the Linden, Eventide Heritage, and Sanford Hospice for their kindness, friendship, and loving and compassionate care for Mary.

Mary wanted her funeral to be a celebration; feel free to dress cheerfully.

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Friday, March 28, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue from 10:00 -11:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. Final resting place will be at Prairie Home Cemetery, Moorhead, MN, at a later date.