Howard N Wangsness

December 8, 1925 – July 4, 2021

Howard Wangsness, a Stanwood, WA native who lived a full and happy life of 95 1/2 years, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Savior in the early hours of the morning of July 4, 2021. A fitting day for a World War II Coast Guard veteran who had circled the globe at least twice.

Howard was born in Stanwood, WA to Manser and Sigrid Wangsness. He was the oldest of 3 children. His heritage being Norwegian, he never met a stranger. Anywhere he went, he would strike up a friendly conversation.

He was in Stanwood HS class of 1944, but with the WWII at hand, he joined the Coast Guard in 1943. Upon his Honorable Discharge in 1946, he moved back to Stanwood and enrolled in Skagit CC to obtain Associates degree. Following graduation, he worked accounting and bookkeeping tasks with Blade Chevrolet, the gas company in Mt Vernon, among other things. In the early mid 1950's he joined Scott Paper company in Everett in accounting and payroll, there he met a nurse (Winnie Gilbert) who he married in 1955. At the end of 1956 they had a son, Norman. He enrolled in the University of Washington and graduated in banking and finance in early 60s. He then started his 30 year banking career, 1st with Sea First (as auditor), then Everett Trust and Savings Bank, Bank of Everett (manager of various branches) and then joined Frontier Bank as it was starting up, focusing on business development and community relations. He loved his time with Bob Dickson and team at Frontier. He took brief break from banking prior to Bank of Everett to work at Boeing on the development of 747 airplane budget committee, and real estate ventures with a couple grade school friends. He enjoyed community service and his time with Kiwanis and other local groups, and his time supporting/rooting on various figure skaters in their pursuits of state and national championships.

After retiring, Howard spent much time with his 1st grandson (Elliott), occasional golfing, and then returning to bowling, his true sport love, joining multiple bowling leagues between Evergreen and Glacier bowling alleys in Everett. There, he met the love of his live, Dena, they were married in 1992 and enjoyed many many years of marriage and league bowling together. His marriage to Dena brought a bonus son, and two bonus daughters.

He is survived by his loving son, Norman Wangsness, and his children, sons Elliott Howell and Brent Wangsness (Raquel) and their sons Killian and Rohan, and daughter Brita (Austin), along with his bonus daughters Dee Dee Sytsma (Andy) and her children Ashley (Lance) and Kelsie (Kevin), and Teresa Carlson (Steve), and their children Sarah (Bern) and their boys Tannen and Birk, and Maegan (Dustan) and their children Zayne and Brystol, his sister Shirley Mae Danielson and his special nieces and nephews, David, Susie, Carl, Karen, Julie and spouses, Mark, Kurt, Heidi and Jill, and spouses.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Dena Wangsness, his sister Carlene Garrison, and his bonus son Steve Fudula and 1st wife Winnie, along with many cousins and friends.

We wish to thank Adan and staff of Golfview Residential Care home for the devotion and care of dad since Dena passed. They became like family.

Howard did not want a big funeral, so a graveside service for Howard will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 1:30PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church Cemetery, on Pioneer Hwy in Stanwood, conducted by Gilbertson Funeral Home. All are welcome to join there. Reception to follow.

For those that wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County