Elsie Wang, age 92, of Winger, MN, died Monday, November 28, 2011 at First Care Medical Services Nursing Home in Fosston, MN.

Elsie Omang was born May 4, 1919 at home in Garden Township, rural Winger, the daughter of Christ and Emma (Bestul) Omang. She was baptized and confirmed at Union Lake Free Lutheran Church and attended country school. As a young lady, Elsie began cleaning homes for area farmers and also helping on the family farm. On September 2, 1939, Elsie was united in marriage to Alfred Wang in Ada, MN. Together they made their home in the Union Lake, Winger and Bejou, MN, areas farming and raising their family.


Over the years, Elsie's task at hand has always been a caretaker. She commented that her most important role was that of a mother. She also helped with the daily operations of the farm, as Alfred was often gone custom combining, in addition to taking care of their children and their needs. As the children became older, Elsie began working more which included baking and cooking for others, picking potatoes and working at the Gorilla Café in Winger. Alfred died in July of 1982 and that fall she moved into the Winger Apartments, naturally becoming the apartment caretaker for many years. Even though Elsie was currently living at the nursing home, she was still the one looking after everyone. Her home, no matter where it was, was the place to go. You were always welcome and never went away hungry or empty handed. As her family grew, Elsie continued that care and concern with her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They could always get a treat of popcorn and pop at Grandma's house.

Elsie loved to have company and treasured the time she spent with anyone stopping by. She will be remembered for her kind and gentle spirit, never complaining attitude and phrase of "Whatever will be…will be". Elsie was very proud of all her family and had many portraits displayed supporting that. She also loved cooking, baking and gardening; often sharing the fruits of her labor with all. Other pastimes Elsie enjoyed were quilting, tending to her flowers, playing cards, especially Whist or Rummy, and in her younger years, she and Alfred liked playing Bingo and going to dances.


Surviving Elsie are two sons, Jerry and Ronald (Cheryl) Wang both of Winger; daughters-in-law, Barbara Wang of Fertile, MN, and Pam Wang of Winger; 23 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; sister, Mabel (Walter) Helgeson of Winger; and sister-in-law, Valaria Omang Pavlish of Mahnomen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband, Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; three sons: Stanley, Roger and infant, Vernon; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna (Ralph) Klein, daughter-in-law, Lynn Wang; one sister, Doris Nephew; four brothers: Rueben, Kenneth, Julius and Clayton Omang; a grandson and his wife, Michael (Carol) Wang; and a great-grandson, Steven Wang-Leavitt.

Funeral Services were held Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 10 am at Faaberg Lutheran Church in Rindal, MN. Pastor John Ahola was the officiant with Shelly Wahlin as the organist and Mike Aronson provided special music. The pallbearers were Jarrid Wang, Dylan Wang, James Peterson, Chris Wang, Peter Wang, Stanton Wang, Jeff Klein and Austin Wang. The honorary pallbearers were all of Elsie's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation was held Friday, December 2, 2011 from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 pm at the Anderson~Mattson Funeral Chapel in Winger, MN. Visitation was also held one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday at the church.

Burial was in the Faaberg Lutheran Cemetery.