Thor devotedhis tireless energies to strengthening the social fabric andstructur

Tag : t/n fabric

T.N. Tangedahl, 92, Bismarck, former Director of Social Servicesfor the state of North Dakota, passed away on July 27, 2008.Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, at FirstBaptist Church, Bismarck, with Pastors Steve Wisthoff and PJTangedahl officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens,Bismarck.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. today, July 29, atParkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, and willcontinue one hour prior to services at the church.
Thor was born on September 27, 1915, near Van Hook, ND, toNorwegian immigrants Erick and Maria (Skaar) Tangedahl. Prior toattending college, he taught at a rural school in Mountrail County.He received his B.A. degree from Minot State College and didgraduate studies at UND and the University of Minnesota, where heearned his Master's Degree in social work.
He married Lucille Swedlund on January 18, 1941. Together theyraised three sons. Thor and Lucille were active members of FirstBaptist Church in Bismarck for over 50 years. They celebrated their65th wedding anniversary in 2006. Lucille died September 6, 2006.
During World War II Thor served in the U.S. Army Air Corps withassignments at the Pentagon and later in the China-Burma-IndiaTheater.
Thor had a distinguished career of 43 years of public service tothe people of North Dakota. From his early beginnings as a McKenzieCounty caseworker in 1938 through his ascension to ExecutiveDirector of the State Social Service Board in 1972, Thor devotedhis tireless energies to strengthening the social fabric andstructure in our society.
Thor enriched the lives of countless children and families in NorthDakota by his resolute dedication to improving the quality of lifethrough social services. Thor's ability to inspire hope, instillconfidence, and influence outcome made him an architect of socialprogress.
His progressive thinking, positive attitude, soft-spoken approach,and tenacious persistence engendered a benevolent socialconsciousness that was embodied in one of the most responsive humanservice programs in the nation.
Thor's compassion for the poor, love of children, respect for theelderly, and appreciation of the family are reflected in the livesof all who knew him.
Thor earned high respect and profound regard of the Legislaturethrough his wise and forthright counsel to lawmakers, contributingsubstantially to the understanding of social problems and theenactment of laws fundamental to progressive social serviceprograms.
After his retirement in 1981, Thor served as mentor, advisor,supporter and beloved friend to his kids, grandkids and theirfamilies.
He is survived by two sons, Lee (Mary Jane) Tangedahl, Turah, MT,and Guy (Brenda) Tangedahl, Bismarck, ND; eight grandchildren andtheir spouses, Katrina Tangedahl, Spokane, WA, Maria and DamienFitzpatrick, Spokane, WA, Amy Jo Tangedahl, Temple, TX, JoshuaTangedahl, AZ, Eric and Janna Tangedahl, Missoula, MT, Amy LynnTangedahl, Missoula, MT, PJ and Amanda Tangedahl, Spanaway, WA, andTyler and Lacy Tangedahl, Billings, MT. He also leaves, fivegreat-grandchildren, Coy, Journey, Kolby, Zach and Anna Lucille.
He was preceded in death by his wife; son, Dr. Tim N. Tangedahl;and two sisters.
Go to www.parkwayfu neral.com to share memories of Thor and sign the online guestbook.