George Victor Tangen M.D.

Tangen, George Victor, MD age 82, of Prior Lake, passed away from myelodysplastic syndrome on January 29, 2013. George was born June 16,1930, in Canby, Minnesota, son of Dr. George M. and Ruth (Victor) Tangen. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ruth McGeary. Moving to Minneapolis as a teen, George graduated from University High School in 1948. He earned a bachelors degree from Princeton University in 1952, a medical degree from the University of Minnesota in 1956, followed by a specialty degree in Otolaryngology in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Ludwig, on September 11, 1953, raised four children, and was blessed with eleven grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. George began his medical practice in 1960 as a captain in the U.S. Army, stationed in Orleans, France. He practiced medicine in the Twin Cities for 33 years, working primarily at Abbott Northwestern and Minneapolis Children's hospitals. Upon retirement, George and Jeanne moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, returning to Minnesota ten years ago to be close to their children and grandchildren. George offered his time, talents and wisdom to the medical and civic communities. Among his leadership roles in the health field, George served as chair of the Hennepin County Medical Society, member of the House of Delegates of the Minnesota Medical Association, and Chairman of the Board of the Midwest Medical Insurance Company. His civic service included the Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation Commission and his election to the City Council in 1980. George is survived by his wife, Jeanne; children, Cindy (Bob) Shidla, Chris (Carol) Tangen, Linnea (Rick) Jackson, and George "Chip" (Susan) Tangen; grandchildren, Robert (Carrie) Shidla, Ben (Blanca) Shidla, Karen (Ryan) Angelo, Sam Shidla, Kelly (Steve) Henneberry, Scott and Shawn Tangen, Laura and Annie Jackson, and Katherine and George Tangen; and great-grandchildren, Leo Shidla and Benji Shidla. A celebration of George's life will be held on Saturday, February 9, from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Lake Front Plaza, 16154 Main Ave S.E., Prior Lake, MN. The family would like to warmly thank Hospice of the Twin Cities and Home Instead Senior Care for enabling a peaceful passage at home. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to the American Red Cross or the Memorial Blood Centers. A private burial will be at a later date.