Roy J. Brang

Roy John Brang, age 81, died at his home in Winona, MN, April 20, 2024, following a short battle with cancer.

Roy graduated from Winona High School in 1960. That summer he worked at Peerless Chain for 30 cents/hour before leaving for a better opportunity: pumping gas for 35 cents/hour. He graduated from Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis in 1962 and began a nearly 40-year career as a pressman. He retired from Winona Printing in 1998 but had earlier worked at Field’s Printing in Rochester – where he met typesetter Bonnie Kramer and fell in love. He was a skilled poker player and won enough cash from his co-workers to court her. It worked. Bonnie and Roy were married 37 years and she cared for him until his death. 

Roy was also a Sergeant in the Minnesota National Guard in the 1960s when the company regularly trained by marching from Winona to Whitewater State Park. 

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, yardwork, and trying his luck at Treasure Island Casino. He was a fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Madeleine (Wilson) Brang; sisters Shirley (Jim) Pelowski; and Donna (Ron) Bergan and father-in-law Harry Kramer. 

He is survived by his mother-in-law and 500 card partner Ruth Kramer; brother-and-sister-in-laws: Mike Kramer (Laura Knox); Julie Kramer (Joe Kimball); Teresa (Galen) Neuzil; Richard (Oti) Kramer; Mary Kramer; Steve (Mary) Kramer; and Kathy (Jim) Loecher; nieces and nephews; and two kitties Tommy and Fritz.

A private service will be held at a later date.