Alvina Brang

Alvina A. Brang, age 100, of Meire Grove, died peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 surrounded by her loving family, at the CentreCare Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 22 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church in Meire Grove.

Alvina Ann Zenzen was born August 29, 1914, in Elrosa, Minnesota to Joseph and Anna (Tschida) Zenzen. She attended Catholic School in Meire Grove through 8th grade. After school she took care of the neighborhood children by cooking and cleaning for their families before moving to the Twin Cities where she worked as a nanny for $1 per week. She returned to Meire Grove and married Alphonse Brang on June 1, 1937, at St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove, MN. The couple farmed between Melrose and Meire Grove for over 35 years. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, cooking, card playing (especially 500), and traveling.

Alvina was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where she was a member of the choir. She was also a member of Holy Rosary Society and St. Mary's Society.

Alvina is survived by her children, Corrine (Ralph) Blenker of Albany, Robert (Carol) Brang of Maple Grove, Marjorie (Gerald) Koopmeiners of Melrose, and David (Ann) Brang of Melrose; 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alphonse on February 18, 1999; brothers and sisters, Andrew, Edward, and Clarence Zenzen, Mary Winning, Theresa Messer, Ann Bruce, Clara Pajewski, Veronica Kleve, Alma Welle, and Betty Hewitt.

Serving as casket bearers will be Ryan Blenker, Corey Blenker, Paul Koopmeiners, Joel Koopmeiners, Marty Brang, Peter Brang, Mitch Petrie, and Tom Lieser. Cross bearer will be Barbara Wehlage and scripture bearer will be Kristin Petrie. Honorary bearers will be the St. Mary's Society.