Muriel Gwendolyn Larson

Muriel Gwendolyn Tangen, was the first born of Nils and Annie (Monson) Tangen. Muriel was born October 10, 1923 near Kathryn, ND. She grew up in rural Kathryn, ND on the family farm, and graduated from Kathryn High School.

She grew up knowing all the wonderful options of being a farm kid. Feeding the chickens, picking eggs, milking cows, feeding the pigs and just plain being a healthy farm girl. Mom didn’t have all the fun clothes that some had so she learned to sew at a very young age and became a wonderful seamstress. She should have been a designer!

Upon graduation, mom went to work for the A & W Drive Inn in Enderlin, ND and then Armour’s in West Fargo, ND. While at Armour’s, Muriel met Milton Butenhoff and they were married December 31, 1944. During their marriage, Muriel had four children, Roger, Cheryl, Laura and Lisa. Milton also had two children Marlin and Judy, whom Muriel loved and thought of as her own. Muriel moved from the beautiful hills of the Sheyenne River Valley to the still beautiful flat farmlands of Baker, MN to raise their family. She loved spending her time gardening, mowing, cooking, sewing, and helping with the farming. She thoroughly enjoyed her hours driving a big CASE tractor.

Milton and Muriel divorced in 1980 after 36 years but remained good friends till Milton’s death in 1999.

After their divorce, Muriel went to a high school reunion and ran into her high school sweetheart, Don Larson, who was widowed. Muriel and Don married on January 6, 1982 and Muriel moved to San Diego, CA. They had fun in their retirement years, enjoying their perfect weather. Mom loved to soak in the sun, Don golfed almost daily and they went on several cruises and traveled to Paris, Germany, Italy, Norway and many other fun places….not bad for a farm girl! �� They returned to North Dakota in December 2007 to be closer to their roots and family. Don died in February 2013. They had 25 years together. Muriel is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Although her roots are the Waldheim Church in Kathryn, ND.

Muriel currently was living at The Meadows Care Center in Fargo, ND. She passed away Friday, December 4, 2020.

Muriel is survived by her children, Cheryl (Dean) Bogie, Laura (Al) Johnson, Lisa Butenhoff, Marlin (Betty) Butenhoff and Judy (Neil) Stenshoel. Also, Dave Proctor, Mike Proctor and Ron (Robin) Larson. Grandchildren: Tammy (Loren) Langerud, Leann (Chris) Tallackson, Stacy (Chad) Pfaff, Scott (Steph) Stenshoel, Tanya (Jeff) Ferber, David (Kris) Bogie, Anne (Tim) Wenner, Tony (Lacie) Johnson, Katie (Michael) White. And many precious great grandchildren.

Muriel was preceded in death by her parents, Nils and Annie Tangen, brothers, Neil Tangen and Norton Tangen, sister, Enid Hanson and son, Roger Butenhoff, and husband, Don Larson.

Have a cup of coffee in loving memory of this truly beautiful woman’s life.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations in her memory to Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN, or to Muriel’s childhood church of Waldheim in Kathryn, ND.

Muriel's Tribute Video can be seen and copies ordered here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/M7Z2C7LGBNT4JSFR