Neil O. Tangen

Neil Tangen, 84, of Kathryn, ND, passed away Sunday evening, May 28, 2017 at the Sheyenne Care Center, Valley City, ND, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s. The funeral service for Neil will be 2 pm Friday, June 2, 2017 at Waldheim Lutheran Church, rural Kathryn, with Rev. Bradley Edin officiating. Burial will be in Waldheim Cemetery. Visitation will be 5- 7 pm Thursday at Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City, North Dakota, with a prayer service at 7 pm in the chapel. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church. Neil was born April 10, 1933 to Nils and Annie (Monson Dahl) Tangen, on the family homestead near Kathryn, ND. He was the youngest of four children. Here, he grew up, was confirmed at Waldheim Lutheran Church and graduated from Valley City High School in 1951. Neil met the love of his life, Fay R. Hopewell of Lisbon, ND and they were married on June 6, 1954 in Lisbon. Neil worked for Armour Meats in Fargo when he and Fay were first married. After a year in Fargo, they settled on the family farm, southeast of Kathryn. Here they raised their seven children, having lost their infant son, Daniel, at 4 ½ months old. He worked and lived for the remainder of his life on the farm. Over the years, Neil worked tirelessly on the farm, welding and fixing equipment for neighbors and himself. He started working for Melroe in Gwinner, ND, in 1969 as a welder, working his way up to foreman, welding instructor, service technician, and skill training coordinator. He taught training and trouble-shooting schools across the USA, including Hawaii, Canada and even a class in Australia. Neil was active in the Waldheim Church, served on the township board and was a member of the committee People to Save the Sheyenne (river) for years. He served on the Board of Advisors for Welding at NDSSS in Wahpeton, ND during which time he created a manual for Hydraulics Trouble-Shooting. He was a man of high principles and integrity! He loved physical labor and working with his hands. Some of the many things he enjoyed were: working on his sawmill; playing pool; hunting; hiking; running his Bobcat and dozer; visiting friends and neighbors, but most of all, spending time with his loved ones. Neil is survived by his seven children, Deb Tangen, Gillette, WY; Sally Hatcher (Kevin Nawman), Valley City; Tammy Stephens (Jerry Stephens) Moreno Valley, CA; Steve Tangen (Julie Richman), Todd Tangen (Leah), Kevin Tangen (Connie) and Tim Tangen (Jill) all of Kathryn; 21 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Neil is also survived by his three siblings, Muriel Larson, Fargo, ND, Norton Tangen, Valley City and Enid Hanson, Enderlin, ND. He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay, a son, Daniel, his parents, Nils and Annie, a granddaughter, Annie Arbuckle, and a grandson, Justin Tangen. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook for Neil is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com

Neil O. Tangen

April 10, 1933 - May 28, 2017