Donald Gangl

Donald A. Gangl, age 68, of Melrose, died after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 31 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. followed by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. and the Holy Name Society at 8 p.m. Sunday evening.

Donald Gangl was born May 2, 1939 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Michael and Hilda (Eyinck) Gangl. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. On July 4, 1961 he married Margaret Stich at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Donald worked for Roadway Express for many years, retiring in 1998. He managed the campground at Cedar Lake in Upsala for three years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, gardening, and taking care of his lawn. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa, Holy Name Society, and the Upsala American Legion Post 350.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret "Peggy" Gangl of Melrose; sons, David (Pamela) Gangl of Colorado Springs, CO and Dale Gangl of St. Cloud; grandchildren, Carmen Worms, Lauren Worms, Neil Worms, and Courtney Koepke; brothers and sisters, Veronica "Fronie" Rohe of Albany, Izzy Murphy of Melrose, Alquin (Lorraine) Gangl of Melrose, Elmer Gangl of Melrose, Rosalia "Sally" (Harvey) Rolfes of Minneapolis, Ida (Carl) Finken of St. Rosa, Luella (James) Noren of St. Paul, and Martha "Marti" (Roger) Doetkott of Melrose.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Hilda Gangl; brothers and sisters, Angeline "Angie" Rakotz, Loretta Brooks, Herman Gangl, Johanna "Hanna" Hoeschen, Louis Gangl, Josepha Gangl, Melvin Gangl, and Daniel Gangl.

Serving as casket bearers will be Ted Vance, Doug Kaiser, Neil Worms, Roger Doetkott, Kevin Koepke, and Raymie Stoermann. Cross bearer will be Courtney Koepke and scripture bearer will be Terry Cebizar. Honorary bearers will be Bud Ostendorf, Bob Mayers, Ervin Klaphake, Vern Dickhaus, Richard Van Heel, John Von Wahlde, Joe Primus, John Ainali, Ed Hinnenkamp, Keith Gangl, Barry Meyer, Charlie Thell, Mark Mayers, Matt Worms, Jeff Fandel, Steve Tschida, Bob Duerr and Alvin Gerads.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.