Betty Spangenberg Obituary

Age - 92

September 11, 2023

North Mankato, MN

Betty Marie (Lueck, Oftedahl) Spangenberg, 92, of North Mankato passed away surrounded by her family on September 8, 2023, at Oak Terrace Assisted Living, North Mankato. Funeral Service will be at 11 a. m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Mankato. Visitation will be from 4:30 p. m. -7:30 p. m. , on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be at a later date in Alma Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Jesus Loves Me Learning Center, 304 Monroe Avenue, North Mankato. Betty was born January 19, 1931, to Louis and Lila (Marzinske) Lueck in McPherson Township (Blue Earth County), MN. She was baptized and confirmed in Alma City. Betty married Duane Oftedahl in 1950. He died in 1968. Betty married Sid Spangenberg in 1970. She worked at District 77 in food service for 14 years. In her free time, she enjoyed baking, reading, gardening, word search, cross stitching, puzzles, and spending time with family. Betty is survived by her children, Dean (Ruth) Oftedahl, Danny (Karen) Oftedahl, Connie (Mike) McCullough, Laurie (Lynn) Abrahamson, Kay (Dan) Ekenstedt, Alan (Mary) Spangenberg; daughter-in-law, Kathy Oftedahl; son-in-law, Roger Davidson; 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Bluhm. Betty is looking forward to them joining her in her heavenly home. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Duane and Sidney; children, Duane Oftedahl, and Georgia Davidson, and sister, Doris Hoffman. The family would like to thank Oak Terrace Assisted Living, and Mayo Hospice for their wonderful care.

Obituary Source : https://www.mankatomortuary.com/obituaries/betty-spangenberg

Related Obituaries

Bruce Bateman

Age - 73

November 23, 2023

Bruce Bateman, age 73, of Fargo, formerly of North Mankato, died on November 21, 2023. Memorial service will be at 1 p. m. on Monday, November 27, 2023 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation will be held from 11:30 to 1 p. m. at the funeral home. The service will be livestreamed and available below. Complete obituary to follow.Show more

Robert Mcvicker

Age - 97

November 14, 2023

Robert T. McVicker, age 97 of North Mankato, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at his home. Funeral Service will be 11:00am Monday, November 20, 2023 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, North Mankato. Visitation will be 3:00-6:00pm Sunday, November 19th at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary. A full obituary will follow.Show more

Katharine Anderson

Age - 86

November 3, 2023

Katharine Lee (Nichols) Anderson, age 86 of St. Peter, passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Monarch Meadows in North Mankato. Memorial service will be 10:00am Friday, November 10, 2023 at Union Presbyterian Church, St. Peter. Visitation will be 5:00pm-7:00pm Thursday, November 9th at St. Peter Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. To leave a condolence for the family or view the service livestream, visit www. saintpeterfuneralhome. com. Katharine Lee (Nichols) Anderson was born February 23, 1937 to Harry O. Nichols and Charlotte Mary (Huber) Nichols in Winnebago, Minnesota. In 1955, Katharine graduated from Winnebago H. S. and attended Minnesota School of Business, Minneapolis, MN. She worked for Holloway, Knutson & Bower, CPA firm in the Foshay Tower until her marriage to Merlin D. Anderson on July 14, 1957. At the time of their marriage, Merlin was in the U S Navy and they were stationed in Norman, OK, then San Francisco, CA. They lived in Minneapolis/Richfield and Eagan for approximately 10 years before coming to St. Peter. While in San Francisco, Katharine was employed as an executive secretary for Standard Brands, Inc and she transferred to the Minneapolis office when her husband was sent overseas. Later she worked in the executive office of Archer Daniels Midland, Minneapolis and in the Probate Department of Faegre & Benson, law office, Minneapolis. They moved to St. Peter in 1970 where Katharine worked at MacKenzie & Gustafson (now Riley & Tannis) law office. After the birth of her two sons, she worked part-time for the City of St. Peter, County of Nicollet and Union Presbyterian Church. From 1979- 2019 she worked at the Anthony & Anthony law office. She was also the organist and choir director at the Kasota Presbyterian Church from (1991 - 2010). Katharine was a member of Union Presbyterian Church and served as clerk of session, elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and was one of the accompanists for the church choir as well as one of the singers. Her special pastimes were golf, bowling, watching baseball and hockey. She was a member of the St. Peter Choral Society for several years; held the offices of president and secretary/treasurer for the St. Peter Women's Bowling Association and was a cub scout leader. She is survived by her sons: Ethan and wife, Gina of North Mankato, and Aaron and wife, Kris of Mankato; grandchildren: Eve, Isaiah, Drew and Livia; sister-in-law, Joann Nichols of Rochester, MN; brother-in-law, Richard (Mary) Anderson of Winnebago, MN; and sister-in-law, Diana Porter of Blue Earth, MN; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin (1996); her parents, Harry and Charlotte (Huber) Nichols; her sister, Marianna Eiselt; her brothers: David, and Dan; her brothers-in-law: Wayne Eiselt and Larry Porter, and her sister-in-law Ann (David) Armstrong Nichols. The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes. Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.Show more

James Norland

Age - 93

October 27, 2023

James R. Norland, 93, of North Mankato, MN, died peacefully on October 22, 2023 after being surrounded by family for a memorable weekend. Jim was born in Cylinder, IA in 1930 to Gerda and Herman Norland. Jim reminisced often about his childhood growing up on the farm in Iowa. As one of eight children, he started his education in a one room schoolhouse, later transitioning to Cylinder High School. In high school, Jim was captain of the basketball and baseball teams and was a proud award winning member of 4H. He completed his college education at Augustana and the University of Iowa. Jim entered the military after college where he served in the Army as a tank driver. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he moved to Mankato, MN to join his brother in the real estate and banking business and spent the entirety of his 66 years as a realtor at Midwest Realty working alongside his nephew, Richard and other family members. Jim also went on to develop and manage commercial and residential properties. For many years, Jim was involved and held leadership positions in the Realtors Association and the American Legion. It was in Mankato that he met his wife Dorothy whom he was married to for 55 years and together they raised three children, Randy, Sherri, and Kara. Jim loved being a parent and was overjoyed to become a grandparent to Cooper, Cade, Presley, Bella, Sloane, Cole and Reese. Jim will always be remembered for his caring and grateful spirit, the love for his immediate and extended family, the way that he embraced his Norwegian heritage and his 1930 Ford Model A that he proudly drove for decades in the North Mankato Fun Days Parade. Jim’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Edward, Albert, Gerald, Howard and Charles, and his sisters Luetta and Orlue. Jim is survived by his wife Dorothy, his son Randy (Connie), daughters Sherri (Jason) and Kara (Joe), seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Donation to American Legion Charities at mylegion. org would be greatly appreciated. Services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 720 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN, 56001 on Saturday, November 4 with visitation beginning at 10:30 am and the funeral service at 11:30 am with military honors and reception following.Show more

John Gleason

Age - 67

October 21, 2023

John Lyle Gleason, age 67 or rural North Mankato, passed away at home on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Arrangements are pending.Show more

Roger Lovik

Age - 89

October 14, 2023

Roger John Lovik, 89, of North Mankato, died Thursday, October 12, 2023. A Memorial Service Celebrating Roger’s Life will be 11:00 a. m. , Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Belgrade Ave. United Methodist Church, North Mankato. Visitation will be one hour before service. Interment will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. Northview – North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Roger was born January 25, 1934, to Eugene J. and Catherine (O’Rourke) Lovik in Lake Mills, Iowa. After graduating from high school, he attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. Roger married Carolyn Leesch on September 19, 1954. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. Roger worked in the banking industry for 40 years. Roger loved to travel where he vacationed in many foreign countries. He enjoyed trap shooting, wood working, and pheasant hunting. Roger was a life member American Legion Post 518, VFW, Nicollet Conservation Club, NRA, and past president of the Lions Club. Roger is survived by his wife of 69 years, Carolyn; two children, David (Sue) and Michael (Thanh); six grandchildren, Ryan, Sarah, Emily, Daniel, Carter, and Taylor; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen; two brothers, Gene Raymond and Ronald. The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Northview – North Mankato Mortuary. Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.Show more

Margaret Fleming

Age - 100

October 13, 2023

Margaret Irene (Hatfield) Fleming of North Mankato, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. She was born on March 10, 1923 at the home of her grandparents; Henry and Anna (Albers) Schrader in Bridgewater township, Rice County, MN. It was always a source of pride to be the only person born in the house that is still in the Schrader family. Her parents were James G. and Edna C. (Schrader) Hatfield. Margaret was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dundas, Mn on June 3, 1923. Margaret grew up on the family farm along the Snake River several miles from McGrath, MN. When she graduated from McGrath in 1941 they still didn’t have electricity at home. That fall she went on to attend the University of Duluth. She double majored in math and biology education graduating in 1945. Margaret taught school in Moorhead and Benson, MN. Wanting to see the country she took a train to the west coast to visit her aunt and uncle. In 1948 she was hired to teach in Malin, OR and met her future husband, Max at a square dance in Tulelake, CA where Max had a homestead. Margaret was united in marriage to Max William Fleming (hometown Beaver City, NE) on July 6, 1950 in Northfield, MN. After their marriage Max returned to Lincoln, NE to complete his bachelors degree. They returned to Tulelake for a short time before moving to Los Angeles where Max obtained his Masters. They moved to St. Cloud, MN for 3 years and then to Owatonna, MN. After a year in town they bought a farm on Lemond road. Shortly after moving the youngest of their 7 children was born. Margaret returned to teaching in 1968 and taught in Waseca for several years. She then taught for many years in Litomysl, MN. They sold the farm and moved to Ellendale, MN for several years where Max passed away in 1987. She was then employed at McCrossen Boys Ranch in Sioux Falls, SD where she had the opportunity of a lifetime. McCrossen sent several teams of horses to participate on the Texas Sesquicentennial wagon train from January to July 1986. After covering 3,000 miles around Texas they ended at the Texas state fair. Since McCrossen sent groups of boys to help they needed a teacher along. A "schoolhouse" was built on a hay wagon pulled by horses and Margaret taught the boys while rolling down the road! She found it a most thrilling adventure to see the flora, fauna and geology of Texas! Upon retiring from McCrossen’s she built a home in St. Peter. She continued to substitute teach in area schools until age 85. When raising her family on the farm Margaret was a member of the neighborhood ladies group, the KYN club. She also enjoyed membership in AAUW. Having a flower garden, birdwatching and reading were Margaret’s main hobbies. She also enjoyed sewing many stuffed animals for her grandchildren. She loved to travel and summer vacation meant going to visit family and friends throughout the United States. Mission trips to Mexico with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waseca was another of her opportunities to travel. She even went with a group from St. John’s to the Boundary Waters when she was in her 80s! One spring her children bought her a plane ticket to England where her granddaughter was attending college. The two of them explored England and Europe for 3 weeks. Margaret enjoyed bible study at her church in her later years. When you would say goodbye after visiting she would reply "take care, beware, of the green eyed dragon with the thirteen tails"! Margaret is survived by her 7 children; Pierce of Boone, IA, Mary Kruger of Austin, MN, Stephen (Vicki) of Elysian, MN, Rita (Dale) Seath of Elysian, MN, Jeffery (Sherri) of Preston, MN, Ralph of St. Cloud, MN, and Keith (Kelly) of Lakeville, MN; 20 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren with 1 on the way and many nieces, nephews and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max; her parents; 4 brothers; 1 sister; and a daughter in law, Deloris. Funeral service will be at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 427 W Mulberry St. in St. Peter, MN on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 11 am with a viewing 1 hour prior to the service. A meal will be served after the service with burial to follow at Groveland Cemetery, Dundas, MN. Memorials are preferred to St. Peter Lutheran in St. Peter, MN. The funeral will be livestreamed and available below.Show more

Brett Taylor

Age - 94

October 11, 2023

Longtime Mankato retailer, Brett M. Taylor died Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Oak Terrace in North Mankato. Arrangements and service details are pending. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Brett Maxfield Taylor was born on March 20, 1929 in Mankato, Minnesota to Brett and Harriet (Nerbovig) Taylor. He was in the fourth of seven generations to be born and live in Mankato. His great-grandfather, George E. Brett, established the Empire Store in 1868 that evolved into Brett's Department Store. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1947 and Grinnell College in 1951 where he was a gifted runner on the track and cross-country teams. He was married to Gretchen Pauline Porter in 1952. They raised three children: Scott, Mark, and Nancy. Brett was the president of the family run business and worked alongside his father, uncles, sister, his son Scott, and his daughter Nancy. During his tenure as president, he oversaw the expansion from one store in Mankato to 19 stores throughout southern Minnesota. He was one of the most civic-minded members of the Mankato area. In the 1960’s he was a leader of a community think tank known as Active Community Thought that focused on community improvement. The group identified the need for revitalization of the downtown area which led to enclosing a large portion of Front Street creating the Mankato Mall. Brett was also a member of the board of directors of Mankato Citizens Telephone Company and First Federal Savings and Loan and was an active leader at the First Presbyterian Church. In 1972 he started the Mankato Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. While he was president, the Mankato chapter was second in the country in dollars raised to benefit waterfowl and their habitat. In addition, he was a member of the board of directors of Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital, serving as president. He was a member of Kiwanis for more than 50 years and was a Hixon Fellow. He and Gretchen chaired the Gustavus Adolphus College parents committee for over 10 years. Retirement only increased opportunities for volunteerism for Brett. He led the campaign to raise funds to build the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center on the campus of Bethany College. He was on the fundraising board of Central Freedom School, and the board of the Salvation Army where he increased the sales at the store twenty-fold. In 1988, Brett was the recipient of the Mankato Area Book of Golden Deeds award in recognition of his service to the community. Throughout his life he was actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America. He was an Eagle Scout and was proud of his son and grandson who are also Eagle Scouts. He served on the Twin Valley Council board and oversaw the enhancement of Camp Norseland and Camp Cuyuna. He was Council president and received the Silver Beaver and lifetime achievement awards, the two highest recognitions in scouting. Brett was well known for his passion for duck and pheasant hunting. His duck shack in North Dakota was his personal haven. That passion was only exceeded by his love for his family. He cherished family vacations and always wanted to be surrounded by as many generations as could join him. He was the entire family's role model for generosity, kindness, and philanthropy, along with his desire to "just go" and make things happen. Brett was always the first to extend his hand to welcome a stranger or greet a friend. His smile and love of life were contagious. Brett was adored by all who survive him including his wife of over 71 years, Gretchen of Mankato, their three children: Scott (Anne Hunter) Taylor of Nellysford, Virginia, Mark (Rhonda) Taylor of Mankato, Nancy (Mark) Zallek of St. Peter; eight grandchildren: Elizabeth (Clay) Richards, Brent (Leah) Grover, Ryan (Lindsay) Taylor, Gretchen (David) Hagemeister, Evan (Katie) Taylor, Taylor, (Annika) Zallek, Bailey (Nick) DeVetter, and Brett (Hannah) Zallek. He cherished his 10 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law PJ (Audrey) Porter of Waterloo, Iowa; and two nephews: Clark (Sharon) Porter of Waterloo, Iowa, and Brett (Cindy Thompson) Bender of Portland, Oregon. Brett was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jean T. Bender, and an infant sister. Although he will be missed dearly, it was his time to "just go. " Brett died on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Services are pending. When available, details will be updated.Show more

Tom Wyrowski

Age - 77

September 30, 2023

Tom Wyrowski, age 77, of North Mankato, died September 28, 2023. Memorial Mass will be held Friday, October 6, 2023 at 11:00 a. m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, North Mankato. Visitation will be Friday, October 6 from 9:00-11:00 a. m. at the church. Northview-North Mankato Mortuary assisting with arrangements. Full obituary to follow.Show more

Dennis Mckinney

Age - 71

September 15, 2023

Dennis Craig McKinney age 71 of North Mankato died Tuesday, September 12, 2023. A gathering remembering Dennis’s life will be held later. Dennis McKinney was born on July 14, 1952, at River Falls, Wisconsin. He was adopted by Worley and Velma (Simenson) McKinney. The family moved to North Mankato and Dennis graduated from Mankato High School in 1970. He worked for Fast Auto and Sherwood Auto both in Mankato. Dennis graduated from Mankato State University and then attended the St. Cloud Police Academy. He worked part-time for the Mapleton Police Department and later full time for the North Mankato Police department as an officer for 20 years before retiring. Dennis worked as a Nicollet County dispatcher for several years after retiring from the North Mankato Police department. Dennis enjoyed golfing, music, collecting and shooting guns. Dennis is survived by his brother, Mac (Pam) McKinney of Knob Noster, MO; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.Show more

Find More Obituaries