Olga C. Wangsness

Wednesday, October 3, 2018 1:23 pm

Olga C. Wangsness, 103, of Decorah, died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Celebration of Life services were at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. Burial was in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation began at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, one hour before the service, at First Lutheran Church.

Olga Charlotte (Lee) Wangsness, the daughter of Albert and Tillie (Lotvedt) Lee was born Nov. 28, 1914, on the home farm near Ossian. She graduated from Ossian High School in 1932 and received her teaching degree from Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI) in Cedar Falls. Olga taught three years before marrying Ted Wangsness. She taught at the rural Rosie School near Ossian, the Monson School in Frankville Township and the Frankville School.

Olga married Theodore (Ted) Wangsness Oct. 1, 1936. To this union two children were born: David Wangsness and Donna (Wangsness) Weigle. After marriage and before 1948, Olga helped Ted with bookwork at the Nordness and Waukon Creameries. In 1948, Olga and Ted bought Ted’s Tobacco Store in Decorah. She enjoyed her customers so much that she continued to work 12 more years after they sold Ted’s Tobacco to Trollheim. She retired in 1984. Retirement gave her time to volunteer at Aase Haugen Home, travel and time with family.

Olga is survived by her daughter, Donna (Jim) Weigle of Golden Valley, Minn.; four grandchildren: Kristi (Tom) Pietz of Rubicon, Wis., Marc (Kirsten) Weigle of St. Michael, Minn., Michael (Erin) Wangsness of Woodbury, Minn., Matthew (MaKenzie) Wangsness of Burnsville, Minn.; great-grandchildren: Timothy Pietz, Daniel Pietz, Samuel Pietz, Sally Pietz, Nora Weigle, Ted Weigle, Julia Weigle, Ann Weigle, Blake Wangsness, Jovana Wangsness, Cameron Wangsness; two step–great grandchildren, Carley Willis and Parker Willis; two sisters in law, Elva Roney of Rochester, Minn. and Lorraine Wangsness of Decorah; along with nieces, nephews and extended family.

Olga was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Tillie Lee; her husband, Ted, Dec. 21, 1999; her son, David Wangsness, Feb. 11, 2014; her daughter-in-law, Rita Wangsness, April 17, 2007, her two sisters, Linda Van Woert and Lillian Vangsness; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Earl Van Woert, Elrick Vangsness, Clifford and Mabel Wangsness, Beatrice and Joe Estrem, Vi and Art Blegen, Wally Roney, Ervie Wangsness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway, Decorah, IA 52101 or Aase Haugen Senior Services, 4 Ohio Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.