Agnes Manger, 95, of rural Grenora, ND, passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Williston, ND.

Agnes Lucille (Haugen) Manger was born January 7, 1924 on the farm her mother homesteaded in Goodluck Township, ND south of Grenora. Her Grandma Krogen, who spoke only Norwegian, delivered her as well as her 8 siblings.

Agnes attended grade school 2 miles from home, walking in good weather, getting rides in the winter in a cutter pulled by Prince and King.

With several siblings, and neighbor kids, Agnes’ favorite summer pass time was playing ball in the yard.

There was always work to be done and Agnes cheerfully helped her mother care for a big garden, feed the animals and butcher chickens. Agnes helped many farm wives in the community when they had new babies.

In 1943, Agnes met Carrol Manger at a dance in Grenora. They courted a couple years and were married June 16, 1945, in Plentywood, MT.

After living with Carrol’s parents for 4 years, Carrol, Agnes and 3 yr old Alan moved across the road to the Smebak farm. There they made their home, filled with love, raising their 3 children.

Agnes kept her little house spotless and always made visitors feel welcome. If you stopped in at Agnes’, you would get a lunch, including sandwiches and a homemade dessert. Agnes grew gardens, milked cows, cooked, baked and sewed. Carol Ann would look through the catalog find a dress she liked and Agnes would buy fabric and sew it. Agnes loved making buns and would often have fresh caramel rolls ready when the kids got off the bus. She would say “go ahead”, have another one, they are best when they are fresh.

Agnes and Carrol enjoyed playing cards and visiting with neighbors on long winter nights. They loved visiting and getting to know everyone they met.

Agnes loved making special birthday cakes for her family. In 1962 she started making wedding cakes and other special occasion cakes and for 50 years she created beautiful works of edible art. She would spend hours on each one, making sure it was just right, her handwriting on them, precise! Just try yourself to write your name with one color and then write over it again with another color.

“Agnes’ donuts” were famous, and she enjoyed making them for family and friends.

Agnes’ talents of crocheting and embroidering kept her hands busy and her fine handiwork is cherished by many.

Carrol and Agnes were members of St. Petri Lutheran church until it closed, then joined St. Olaf Lutheran church in Grenora.

Gladys Helping Hand Club was a very special part of Agnes’ social life. She enjoyed making and donating many “handiworks” for the annual auction, as well as attending meetings.

Agnes was a generous, kind and loving Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma, sister, aunt and friend.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Ann (Ron) Green; son, Roger (Mary Lou) Manger; 7 Grandchildren - Randi Lou (Trent) Westmeyer, Jason (Rachel) Green, Robert Manger (Stephen Kowalski), Jennifer (John) Cruz, Melissa (Brett) Field, Mikkel (Jason) Conover, Joe (Misty) Green; 13 Great Grandchildren - Austin Westmeyer, Cody Field, Samantha Westmeyer, Kelsey Cruz, Tayler Hoyt, Bridger Field, Kaylin Cruz, Jacob Conover, Hailee Field, Logan Conover, Savannah Field, Isaac Conover, Paige Conover; 15 nieces and 10 nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Carrol; her parents, Ole & Anna Haugen; in-laws, Casper & Minnie Manger; sisters-in-law, Helen (Harry) Bjerkhoel, Marie (Freddie) Sprenger and June Manger; son, Alan Manger; 2 infant children; her brother, Iver Haugen; sisters, Lena (Arne) Krogen, Olga (Howard) Ross, Julia (Al) Laqua, Clara (Martin) Hanson, Alma (Alphonse) Muller, Edna (Olaf) Folstad and Bernice (Alvin) Petersen; 1 niece and 1 nephew.