Norman Kangas

FUNERAL SERVICES :will be held 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Menahga Assembly of God Church, Menahga, MN.VISITATION :will be held 5 - 8:00 P.M., Friday, June 25, 2010 at Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church.INTERMENT : will be made in the Meadow Apostolic Cemetery.SURVIVORS :He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Connie (Terry) Marshall of Miltona, MN; his two sons: Jim (Bernice) Kangas and Jon both of Menahga; 3 grandchildren: David (Donna) Marshall of Miltona, MN, Tami (Jon) Summer of Alexandria and Shane Marshall of Alexandria; three great grandchildren: Clarinda, Katarina and Samuel; l brother, Russell (Mary) Kangas of Menahga as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. NORMAN CALVIN KANGAS June 4, 1924 " June 21, 2010 Norman Calvin Kangas, age 86, a long time Menahga area resident, was peacefully promoted into Glory on Monday, June 21, 2010 with loved ones by his side at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home. Norm was born on June 4, 1924 in Menahga, MN to William J. and Bertha (Iggena) Kangas. He attended the Menahga Public School graduating with the Class of 1943. After graduating, Norm entered the United States Army where he bravely served his country as an infantryman in the European Theatre of World War II. His tour of duty took him to England where he received further training, and then served on the front lines of Italy and France. Norm escorted German POW"s back to their homeland by Boxcar. On December 5, 1945, Norm received his honorable discharge and returned home to Menahga. He began working for the Patson Bait Company of Menahga trapping and seining minnows and trucking them to many Southern states. In 1946, Norman was united in marriage to Adney Carol Adeline Samuelson. This union was blessed with three children: Connie, Jim and Jon. In 1963, Norm moved with his family to Brooklyn Center, MN where he gained employment with the Northern Construction Company installing water and sewer. In 1965, he was hired by the United States Postal Service where he began a 19 year career working as a postal clerk until his retirement in 1984. Norm and Adney retired back to Menahga where they enjoyed their retirement years together until Norm experienced the heartache of her death in December of 2003. Norm committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1953. His love for serving the Lord and serving others was the driving force of his life. He was a member of the Menahga Assembly of God Church where he had served on the church board, was a Sunday School teacher, and sometimes led the Wednesday night prayer meeting/Bible study. For many years Norm gave rides to and from church on Sunday so many children and adults could attend Sunday School and church services. He loved the outdoors especially when he could be hunting, fishing or working in his garden. For the past four years, failing health had caused Norm to become a resident of the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga where he was lovingly cared for until the time of his going to be with the Lord. Norm truly valued the time he could be with his family and treasured his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with all his heart. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Connie (Terry) Marshall of Miltona, MN; his two sons: Jim (Bernice) Kangas and Jon both of Menahga; 3 grandchildren: David (Donna) Marshall of Miltona, MN, Tami (Jon) Summer of Alexandria and Shane Marshall of Alexandria; three great grandchildren: Clarinda, Katarina and Samuel; l brother, Russell (Mary) Kangas of Menahga as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Norm was preceded in death by his wife; a grandson; his sister, Ruth Demmon and two brothers: Lester and Herb. Funeral services will be held 10 AM Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Menahga Assembly of God Church with the Reverend Robert Smith officiating. The pianist will be his daughter-in-law, Bernice Kangas and the music will be led by the Menahga Assembly of God Church Praise Team. Casket bearers will be David Marshall, Tami Summer, Shane Marshall, Clarinda Solberg, Katarina Ryan, Samuel Marshall, Robert Kangas, Phil Kangas, Jonathan Summer and Markus Honga. Interment will be made in the Meadow Apostolic Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post #6206 of Menahga. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8:00 P.M., Friday, June 25, 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A luncheon will be hosted by the Assembly of God Church following the service.