Josephine Hedman, age 86, of Mahnomen, MN, died May 21, 2008 at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

Josephine Aagate Tangen was born on January 22, 1922 at home near Fosston, MN, to Alma (Haugen) and Henry Tangen. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Poplar River Lutheran Church in Fosston. As a young girl Josephine attended Happy Corner Grade School in Queen Township and graduated from Fosston High School.

She was married to Vernon Hedman on August 1, 1942. To their union they were blessed with five children. Josephine also made a home for her niece and nephew, Delores and Daniel Storruston, who lived with her for five years.

Josephine worked at the Dairy Bar in Mahnomen and was a CNA at the Mahnomen Hospital for 25 years until her retirement. She was an excellent cook and a hard worker. Josephine loved sports of all kinds and loved collecting her flora gold dishes. She always had a very positive attitude, never criticized, and always had a good ear for listening. Always putting others before herself, her family was her greatest treasure. She was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Josephine was an example of a devoted and disciplined Christian woman. A member of First Lutheran Church, she was active in the churches mission quilting group and participated in bible prayer fellowship. She was also active in the hospital auxiliary. She was loved by many and tenderly closed most conversations with "I Love You."

She is survived by two daughters, Phyllis Neumann, Barnesville, MN; Lynnae (Joey) Salveson, Vergas, MN; three sons: David (Elaine) Hedman, Detroit Lakes, MN; Doug (Faith) Hedman, Fond du Lac, WI; Erick (Jill) Hedman, Benson, MN; fourteen grandchildren: Rebecca (Curtis) Stetz, Sarah (Patrick) Mulcahy), Jon Neumann, Kimberly (Chris) Troxel, Mark (Nicole) Hedman, Gregory Hedman, Amy Salveson, Jill Salveson, Andrew Hedman, Sarah Heldman, Rachel Hedman, Adam Hedman, Ty Hedman and Cole Hedman; fourteen great grandchildren: Alisen, Caleb, Grace, Nicole, Ashlyn, Elisabeth, Jessica, Samantha, Brandon, Cassandra, Nicholas, Matthew, Jacob, and Jenna; one brother, Francis (Ruth) Tangen, Starbuck, MN; sister in-law, Marion Tangen, Chula Vista CA; and several nieces and nephews.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, son in-law, David Neumann, four sisters: Florence Storruston, Liala Chadwick, Hilda Breece and Charlotte Steinbrenner; and brothers, Arnold and Orvin.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will take place at the Anderson~Mattson Funeral Home, on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 PM. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Wednesday. Burial will take place at First Lutheran Cemetery in Mahnomen.