Orlene M. Fangmeier

Obituary

Orlene May Fangmeier was born on May 25, 1928, in Willmar, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Emil and Martha (Ide) Schuetz. Orlene was baptized as an infant on July 1, 1928, and confirmed in her faith as a youth on May 10, 1942, both at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake. She received her education in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, and was a graduate of the Buffalo Lake High School Class of 1946.

On November 11, 1946, Orlene was united in marriage to Louis Fangmeier at Zion Lutheran in Buffalo Lake, officiated by Rev. Hans Appel. This marriage was blessed with five children, Daniel, Linda, Steven, David, and Nancy. Orlene and Louis resided briefly in Willmar, Minnesota, before moving to their farm in Martinsburg Township south of Buffalo Lake. Together, they farmed and raised dairy cows, beef cattle, hogs, chickens and had a few horses. Orlene also maintained a large garden and preserved much of its produce by canning or freezing, as well as canning meat. In 1981, Orlene and Louis moved from the farm to their home in Hector, Minnesota. They shared 36 years of marriage before Louis’s passing on March 12, 1983.

Orlene was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She was employed for a few years at Green Giant in Glencoe, Minnesota, during the sweet corn pack season, and later at the Weigh Station in Hector for 20 years during the sugar beet harvest. Orlene was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake.

Orlene enjoyed crocheting doilies, reading, and playing card games, bingo, and Wii-bowling. She enjoyed fishing, and watching and feeding birds – especially yellow finches. Orlene loved “babysitting” her grandkids and going on family vacations. She went to her grandchildren’s baseball games, basketball games, volleyball matches, and listened to Hutch Tigers football games on the radio. She cherished spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at LOAFR (Louie and Orlene’s Annual Family Reunion) that began in 2005.

Orlene passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Ecumen Pines in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at the age of 97 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Orlene is survived by her family of five children, 11 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren as follows:
Son, Daniel Fangmeier and his wife, Pat of New Market, MN; Grandchildren: Beth Fangmeier and Dan Fangmeier (and partner Aimee Pedretti); Great Grandchildren: Steven Williams and Jay Williams.
Daughter, Linda Meyer and her husband, Ron of Plymouth, MN. Grandchildren: Kelly Meyer and Kimberly DeLeon (and husband Rudy); Great Grandchildren: Joshua Meyer, Alessandri Aguilar, Jacob Aguilar, and Mateo DeLeon.
Son, Steven Fangmeier and his wife, Nancy of Brainerd, MN; Grandchildren: Nick Fangmeier (and wife Grazi) and Sarah Fangmeier; Great Grandchildren: Aubrey Fangmeier.
Son, David Fangmeier of Buffalo Lake, MN; Grandchildren: Crystal Blankers (and husband Allen), Vanessa Hitt (and husband Nate), and Davis Fangmeier (and wife Liesl); Great Grandchildren: Emersyn Blankers, Campbell Blankers, Guy Hitt, Sybil Hitt, Elizabeth Fangmeier, Ephraim Fangmeier, Lucy Fangmeier, and John Fangmeier.
Daughter, Nancy Metag and her husband, Ron of Hutchinson, MN; Grandchildren: Jonathon Metag (and wife Harlie), and Evan Guthrie-Metag (and wife Emma); Great Grandchildren: Crosby Metag and Sylvie Metag.

Orlene is preceded in death by her Parents, Emil and Martha Schuetz; Husband, Louis Fangmeier; Brother, Vernon Schuetz and his wife, Geraldine.