Agnes Wangerin, 90

Agnes L. Wangerin, 90, passed away at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan, on Aug. 28, 2024. Agnes Lorraine Christensen was born to Mary and Henry Christensen on Oct. 12, 1933. She grew up on a grain farm near Westby, with her two brothers Verne and Kenneth and her sister, Marge. She attended high school in Plentywood, where she lived with her grandmother and cousin during the week, returning to the farm on weekends. On June 30, 1951, she married Melvin C. Wangerin from Outlook. They lived and worked on the Henry Wangerin farm outside of Outlook during the summer months and traveled to western and southwestern Montana in the winter months where Melvin found work. They had four children, Marcia, Wayne, Rich and Sandy. In 1960, Agnes and Melvin moved to Polson, and in 1961, they bought the Ray Turnquist homestead west of Ronan.  

She often did very non-traditional work for a woman. For a number of years, she milked dairy cows morning and night before she and Melvin decided to raise beef cattle. She also mastered many forms of home art, including knitting, crocheting, sewing, holiday dinners and landscaping. She loved being outdoors. If she wasn’t helping Melvin with ranch work, she would be outside in her yard tending to flowers, bushes and trees. As a result, she made the grounds around her home seem like an oasis that was visually very pleasing. Some said her yard was like a park.  

Agnes liked to read about the history of Montana and about different religions. She loved animals and would diligently take care of the orphaned calves. In the 1970s she adopted her first set of little black poodles. When she was 82 years old, she adopted two toy poodles who became her steadfast companions for the next eight years. Agnes was hard-working and always had her routine chores, morning and evening. She was a quiet and gracious being, but also could be feisty and determined.

She is survived by her daughter, Marcia, Missoula; son, Rich, Wickenburg, Arizona; and daughter, Sandy, Ronan; her sister, Marge, Tempe, Arizona; four grandchildren, Nadine, Laura, Chad and Courtney; eight great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

A viewing for Agnes is scheduled from 11-1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home. A gathering of friends and family will be held at the Round Butte Women’s Clubhouse on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.shriderthompson.com. Arrangements are under the care of the Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home in Ronan.