Rev. Norman E. Kangas

WOLF LAKE, Minn. - Rev. Norman E. Kangas, 83, a longtime resident and pastor in Ironwood, Mich., and Kimball, Wis., peacefully entered the presence of the Lord on Sunday evening, Feb. 26, 2017, at his home near Wolf Lake.

Norman was born on Nov. 14, 1933, to Edwin and Linne Kangas at his grandfather Kangas' farm near Wolf Lake. He attended country schools and graduated from the high school in Frazee.

On Dec. 1, 1953, Norman entered the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he enrolled at Bemidji State University.

On Sept. 8, 1956, Norman was united in marriage to Shirley M. Koskiniemi at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake. Shortly thereafter, Norman and Shirley moved to Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1959, they returned to Minnesota to operate a supermarket in Osage.

In 1963, Norman resumed his studies at Bemidji State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business education. In 1970, Norman entered Inter-Lutheran Seminary in Minneapolis, graduating in 1973. He accepted a call to minister in Ironwood. Norman ministered in the Apostolic Lutheran Faith in Ironwood and Kimball for over 40 years.

Norman will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Shirley, of 60 years; his five daughters, Rene (Rick) Durkee, of Winchester, N.H., Roslyn (Mark) Mitchell, of Anchorage, Alaska, Robin (Steve) Estola, of Hurley, Wis., Andrea (Chris) Raasio, of Hancock, Mich., and Amber (Philip) Impola, of Wellford, S.C .; 26 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, and two brothers.

View services at sprucegroveaic.org.