Ethel Vangsness

Carpio

Ethel Vangsness, 97, Carpio died peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2026 in the Mountrail Bethel Home – Stanley, ND with her family at her side.

Ethel Mae was born on September 7, 1928 near Berthold, ND to Theodore and Nora (Larson) Bakken. She was raised and educated in Berthold and graduated from Berthold High School in 1946. As a young adult, Ethel was employed as a secretary at Farmer’s Union Oil Company – Berthold from 1946-1949.

Ethel married Arthur Vangsness on October 15, 1949 at Zion Lutheran Church in Berthold. They made their home on a farm in Carpio Township of Ward County where they raised their family as well as small grains and cattle. They lived there for 50+ years prior to moving to Minot in 1996. Arthur died in January of 2000. Most recently, Ethel had been a resident of Edgewood Vista – Minot, and the nursing homes in Mohall and Stanley.

Ethel was a member of the Carpio Lutheran Church where she served as church organist for many years, volunteered as a member of the Ladies Aide and participated in Bible Studies and a quilting group. Also, she was a member of the Carpio Country Gals group. She especially enjoyed quilting, gardening, crocheting, knitting, reading, playing cards, cooking and baking. As a member of 4-H, Ethel learned to sew, which led to her making clothes for herself and others and a special trip to the 4-H Congress in Chicago. Also, she made numerous quilts both by hand and machine for her family and special friends. Music was a lifelong love with her becoming a church organist at the age of 16 and giving piano lessons for many years. Always a highlight for her was time spent with grandchildren and great grandchildren especially when they came to the farm to play card games and eat her goodies. Ethel enjoyed attending sporting events, especially basketball and volleyball and caring for a large garden. Ethel was an avid Minnesota Twins fan, and she maintained a very thorough diary for many years.

Ethel’s loving family includes her children: Steven (Debra) Vangsness of Fargo, Valleri Johnson of Mohall, Todd (LeRae) Vangsness of Minot and Stanley (Marianne) Vangsness of Berthold; grandchildren: Stephanie (Michael) Meyers, Allison (Ross) Pankratz, Joshua Vangsness, Brett Johnson, Bjorn (Meghan) Johnson, Braden Vangsness (Melodie Person), Maren Vangsness (Kyle Burke), Lindsey (Dylan) Hughes and Laura Vangsness; great grandchildren: Hava, Solin, Gus, Nora, Will, Owen, Ollie, Otto and Brooks; sister: LuVerne Tufto of Minneapolis; sister-in-law: Marvel Bakken of Garrison and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law: Randy Johnson, brothers: Robert (Geraldine) Bakken and James Bakken and brother-in-law: Odeen Tufto.

Celebration of the Life of Ethel Vangsness: Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. in the Carpio Lutheran Church -Carpio, ND. A delayed stream of the service may be viewed beginning on Monday by using the link in the website obituary.

Interment will be in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery – rural Carpio.

Visitation: Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home – Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Carpio Lutheran Church, Metigoshe Ministries or the donor’s choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfamilyfuneral home.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 7, 2026.