Charles Wayne Mangels

Charles Wayne Mangels, age 65, after a short battle with an inoperative brain tumor slipped peacefully from mortality into Paradise on 9 Feb. 2016. Born a 3rd generation Montanan to Walter and Phyllis Mangels on the 22nd of February 1951, he grew up with 2 older siblings, Gil and Art, on the family farm 5 miles south of Polson. He enjoyed fishing trips to Cold, Flathead, and Mud Lakes as well as Lake Mary Ronan. He also enjoyed hunting trips to the Swan for deer or to Central Montana for antelope. Growing up, 2 of his heroes were the Cisco Kid and Hipshot Percussion and his interest in guns of the old west caused many to think he was born a century too late. He was a member of the Mountain View 4-H Club and entered many prize winning entries of field crops at the Lake County Junior Fair in Ronan. He was also a member of the Polson FFA chapter, and Walther League. (youth group of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in Pablo)

Charles attained the rank of Staff Sargent in the Army and later served for 12 years in the Montana National Guard. He had trouble adapting to married life. An early marriage resulted in a son, Colt. In a later marriage, he adopted daughter Deena. The next try to Jessica Moralli gave them Jennifer Mangels Reese, (who provided him with granddaughters Gwenevere, and Anastasia) and son, Nichalous. Finally finding the love of his life, he married Kayleena Morgan and they had several happy years together before she died of cancer. He was stepfather to Dawnetta, Jody, Jamie, and David.

Charles had worked a few years doing commercial welding in Spokane and Libby before coming back to his homebuilt house on Minesinger Trail and dabbled in farming. He donated a strip of land bordering Farm Road to the area Radio Controlled Airplane Club. He loved riding his motorcycle, however, his first recreational love was square dancing and he danced wherever he heard the call "square 'em up" around Northwestern MT.

He was totally dedicated to his membership in Alcoholics Anonymous and was very proud of his 30+ years of sobriety and "sponsored" many others struggling with addiction.

He was interred next to Kayleena in the veterans section of the Lakeview Cemetery on Feb. 11th. There will be a memorial service with honor guard, life story, and friend sharing on 18 Feb., 11 A. M. in the public meeting room at the Miracle of America Museum on Memory Lane.

Read Charles Mangels's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.