Isadora “Izzy” Leigh Wengel
A life that touched so many hearts will be forever remembered.
In Memorium
Izzy always had a big personality, precocious as a child and charismatic as an adult. She was a gymnast for 8 years, making her high school JV team as an all around competitor at 11. A diagnosis of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 12 forced her to retire, but she stayed with the team for another year as a student manager. She was also a competitive dancer. Izzy was exceptionally bright, even graduating high school early. She had a great sense of humor, had a talent for making people laugh with her antics and epic one-liners, was witty, silly, sarcastic, insightful, and incredibly empathetic. She loved to read, mostly young adult mystery and suspense. She loved music, loved to make mixed cd’s for her friends, and had a million playlists on her iTunes account. She loved to attend concerts (both in stadiums and small venues), and was a die hard “Swiftie”. She loved to crochet and made things like hats and purses for many of her friends and family. She loved Studio Ghibli movies and would often put on Howls Moving Castle or Spirited Away as background noise when she went to sleep. She loved otters, and had a soft spot for all things Pooh. She was a free spirit who lived life to the fullest. She loved roadtrips and spending time with friends and family, watching gymnastics and basketball (go TWolves), video games (she was a force to be reckoned with in MarioKart), and karaoke nights (just don’t take yourself too seriously, or, according to her, you’re missing the point). She lived a little bit like a nomad, splitting time between the houses of various family and friends. She faced many obstacles in her 24 years, but at the time of her passing she was looking optimistically towards the future, learning how to drive and talking about finding an apartment of her own.
Izzy departed this world far too soon, and left an indelible mark on the lives of so many who knew her. She was truly a bright light in this world, and will shine on in the memories of those she left behind.
She is survived by her parents Brian (Jodi) Landsem of West Fargo, ND, and Heather Fones of Inver Grove Heights, MN; grandparents Rosie Landsem of West Fargo, ND, and Roger and Mary Johnsen of Perham, Mn; her sister Callista (Lex) Jones of Hastings, Mn; step-siblings Brandon Kracht, Haley (Nathan) Jenrich, Zachary Baasch, and Matthew (Tasha) Baasch; best friend and honorary sister Sophie Hamre of Fargo; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family; and her beloved cat Blue. She is proceeded in death by grandparents Lyman Landsem of West Fargo, and Darold “Dale” Englund of Perham; as well as great grandmother Esther (Fones) Wengel of Perham, with whom she was very close.
Please use this space to share memories and photos of Izzy. She deserves to be remembered as she was: full of life, light, love, silly moments, and witty comebacks.
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Memory wall
-Coach Iggie
I remember bonding over Wes Anderson movies in our film class, and getting along while discussing One Direction, Tumblr, and other music favorites.
We would hangout during the school year, going to spots in downtown Fargo such as Teaberry, Babbs, Atomic Coffee, and The Red Raven. I remember seeing 22 Jump Street in theatres together, and getting sandwiches at either Subway or Arby’s after. After I moved, we would still keep in touch and hang out the first couple of years when I would come home for winter or summer break, usually going to Babbs or Teaberry again.
Izzy was always so tied into and well versed on pop culture. I remember her telling me about David Dobrick’s “film photo” app and thinking it was so cool. I’ve been re-reading old social messages and laughing at the memes we’d exchange. watching videos of us trying to do accents that we’d send each other.
I knew I could always count on her to educate me on what was happening in the pop music world. I’ll forever think about her when I listen to Ariana Grande, amongst many other artists.
Most of my memories are from when she was quite young. I'll see if I can find some of her drawings we saved 💗 and post them.
Sending all our love from Ireland.
May God give ye strength and courage
Favorites
When she was almost 11, she started a club called I.V.Y. League (Inspiring Volunteerism in Youth).
When she was young, she aspired to be a veterinarian, and could identify just about any dog breed when asked. And when she was in high school, she considered attending the U of M for Social Work and Women’s Studies.
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