John Gary Tangen

John G. Tangen, 76, of Dorchester, IA, died Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 23rd, at 11:00 AM at Big Canoe Lutheran Church with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, both in rural Decorah. Friends may call from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.


John Gary Tangen was born September 15, 1941, in Waukon, IA, the son of John Elder and Myrtle Aletta (Gavle) Tangen. He was baptized and confirmed at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, IA. John attended Hanover Country School and Waukon High School. On April 22, 1961, he married JoAnn Phyllis Johnson at Forest Mills United Methodist Church in rural Postville, IA. They farmed together in Hanover Township in rural Waukon. John also worked at Iowa Turkey Products in Postville, IA, and in the meat department at Quillins in Waukon.


John was a member of Big Canoe Lutheran Church, NFO and NRA. He enjoyed racoon hunting, deer hunting, telling stories, playing his guitar, singing, working in his garden and taking care of his yard.  John loved spending time with his family and spending time in the outdoors.


Survivors include his wife of 56 years JoAnn Tangen of Dorchester, his children: Michael (Nancy) Tangen of West Chicago, IL, Nanette Tangen of Chicago, IL, Rachel Tangen, of La Crosse, WI and Jeremy Tangen, (Tom Yang) of La Crosse, WI; three grandchildren: John Michael Tangen, (Michelle Boyster) of West Chicago and Corey James Tangen of West Chicago; a brother Gordon (Sandra) Tangen of Dorchester; and a sister Janet (Dave) Starr of Seattle, WA. He is preceded in death by his parents; two infant daughters: Sarah and Amy Tangen; and a sister Mary Jean Sivesind.


Honorary casketbearers are John Aide, Joe Gallagher, Wayne Johnson, Pete Statler, Don McGraw, and Jim McCormick. Casketbearers are Doug Tangen, Greg Tangen, Todd Frossmo, Mark Howe, Richard Johnson, Robert Johnson, John Michael Tangen, and Corey James Tangen.