Louis J. Vangalis
Wednesday, May 18, 1921
Date of Death:
Monday, January 15, 2024
Age:
102 years old
Visitation
Date: Friday January 19, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Saturday January 20, 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Peace United Church of Christ [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Saturday January 20, 2024
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Peace United Church of Christ [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Oakwood Cemetery
Wednesday, May 18, 1921
Date of Death:
Monday, January 15, 2024
Age:
102 years old
Wednesday, May 18, 1921
Date of Death:
Monday, January 15, 2024
Age:
102 years old
Louis J. Vangalis
Louis John Vangalis passed away peacefully on Monday, January 15, 2024, at the age of 102.
Lou was born in Wausau, Wisconsin on May 18, 1921, to his Greek immigrant parents; John Vangalis and Jennie (Booras) Vangalis. He was the second-born in his family and had seven siblings. Growing up, Lou worked in his parent’s cafes, bars and candy store during the years of prohibition and helped them care for his younger siblings during the Depression. He graduated from Wausau High School in 1941. In 1942, he joined the US Army and served in the Infantry under General Patton during World War ll. He saw action in Germany and was in the Battle of Ardennes Rhineland Central Europe’s/ Battle of the Bulge. Upon returning to the US after the war, he learned how to be an architectural draftsman. He moved to Rochester, MN in 1948 and worked for Botsford Lumber Company and then Brumm Hardware. He married Phyllis Wolff in 1955, after meeting her on a blind date years earlier. They had two daughters; Nancy and Ann, and enjoyed many fun family times together. Most of his career was spent with Kruger’s Plastic Tops where his “claim to fame” was being in every bar in SE MN…( Designing the Formica countertops!) He retired in 1986.
As a couple, Lou & Phyllis enjoyed traveling, going out to eat with friends, going to their cabin in western WI and spending time with family.
Lou was a pheasant hunter, skied, bowled in leagues and fished with friends up at Black Duck Lake in Northern MN for decades. In 2009, Lou was proud to fly to Washington, DC with the Honor Flight. Lou was an avid woodcarver and he belonged to the Rochester Woodcarver’s group for 45 years. Lou was also a 52-year cancer survivor. Lou was well known to everyone for his corny jokes and his witty sense of humor.
Lou leaves behind his daughters; Nancy (Terry) Miller, Ann Vangalis, his granddaughters; Krista (Nick) Crowley, Alyssa Miller, and his great-grandchildren; Avery Crowley and Mack Crowley; all of Rochester. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and his “family” at the Rochester Rehab and Living Center and his men’s group at the Homestead.
Lou was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years; Phyllis, his mother and father, his siblings; Andrew, Bette, Georgia, Katherine, Dennis, Aaron and Alyce.
The family wishes to thank his caregivers at the Rochester Rehab and Living Center, as well as the Mayo Hospice nurses and volunteers. Memorials are suggested to Peace U.C.C. or to Cancer Research at The Mayo Clinic.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Peace United Church of Christ, 1503 2nd Ave. NE, Rochester, MN with Rev. Paul Bauch officiating. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2024 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home 1105 12th St. SE, Rochester and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.
To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Louis J. Vangalis has received the following condolences.
Dear Nancy, Ann and family,
Your dad was such a great guy and I'm sad to learn of his passing - at 102! When I worked summers at dad's shop during school - your dad, Bob, Joe, Frank and my dad together made it so much fun to be there - oh, how we'd laugh! They always encouraged me to work hard, put in the extra effort to do a job well, and have fun doing it. Your dad had such a great sense of humor! He was so kind to visit my dad at Homestead and reminisce and laugh with him in dad's final days. So. Many. Stories. Mike and I were thrilled to visit his apartment and see his beautiful woodworking creations. Lou and Phyllis had an impact on so many, and may those beautiful memories carry you through.
Bonnie
We just learnd of Lou's passing today. We were very saddened by the news. Les was in the hospital from Jan. 3 until Jan. 18th. and we both have covid now from exposure in the hospital. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May Lou rest in peace. He and Les were such good friends.
Ann & Nancy,
Never easy saying goodbye to your Dad. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this time. I remember hearing stories about my Dad at his funeral that I had never heard and they made me smile knowing he had touched so many lives. Your Dad did as well, so enjoy the stories & RIP Uncle Louie!
Love Matt
Ann & Nancy,
Never easy saying goodbye to your Dad. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this time. I remember hearing stories about my Dad at his funeral that I had never heard and they made me smile knowing he had touched so many lives. Your Dad did as well, so enjoy the stories & RIP Uncle Louie!
Love Matt
Ann & Nancy,
Never easy saying goodbye to your Dad. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this time. I remember hearing stories about my Dad at his funeral that I had never heard and they made me smile knowing he had touched so many lives. Your Dad did as well, so enjoy the stories & RIP Uncle Louie!
Love Matt
Terry, Nancy and family, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Louis. What a wonderful life he must have lived with you as part of his family. It is our hope that as you grieve you can cherish his memory and celebrate your time together. God bless.
I absolutely loved Lou's sense of humor! He was a very sweet man! :)
R.I.P. Louis J. Vangalis,
The Lord Bless you and keep you.
The Lord shine His face upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace.
“The Blessing”
Lou was a lifelong friend of my dad, Julius Joseph Wise. Both Veterans of “The Greatest Generation. “ (WW2). Dad recognized and recommended Lou for sales position with Kruger’s for his ability to connect with others.
Lou “Had the gift of gab” according to my dad.
Formerly a shoe salesman -“Lou could sell the shirt off your back”.
Both worked together as sales & installer for Kruger’s the next three decades.
Enjoyed our visits to the “Greeks -Homestead “ in Rochester to reminisce.
Lou proudly displayed The Greek flag for all to see from his balcony.
Will miss ordering well done potato pancakes from Perkins ; which these two curmudgeons preferred.
Lou’s one- liner jokes and sense of humor were his trademark.
Enjoy paradise , Lou
Remembered-Never forgotten.
Good & Faithful Lord’s Servant.
Ann, Nancy and family,
There is no way I can come up with just one memory of your dad. He was a kind and very funny man. I remember making peach ice cream in the summer, going to the Greek fest, and of course he and his friends marching around the pool after a highschool reunion. When I visited after my dad passed I remember him not letting me have one of his birthday cupcakes as he was saving them for his men's coffee group ? He kept his sense of humor right up till the end.
I am so blessed to have you as friends and to have known your dad. May his memory be eternal.
Margaret
My sincere sympathies to Lou's family. Lou was so very kind to me when I was a member of Peace Church in the 1990's. Prayers to his family.
Sincerely,
Pat Ridout