Mel A. Strang, 65, Sauk Rapids

October 15, 1950 - August 14, 2016

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sauk Rapids for Mel A. Strang, age 65, who passed away last weekend at his ranch. Rev. Ralph Zimmerman will officiate and burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the services Thursday at the church in Sauk Rapids. Sacred Heart Men’s Club (Holy Name Society) will pray at 7:30 p.m., followed by parish prayers at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mel was born Oct. 15, 1950 in Watertown, SD to Charles & Louise (Dupont) Strang. He married Renee Kuklok on Oct. 2, 1982 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He traveled and lived in many places across the United States, but it was the oil industry that brought Mel & Renee to Bakersfield, CA. Here they had their four boys that were his pride and joy. Hoping to get closer to their family and Midwestern roots, they moved back to Minnesota. Shortly thereafter, Mel established Demo Plus, Inc. a company that has flourished for over 21 years and is now run by his sons.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Men’s Club (Holy Name Society). Mel enjoyed various activities throughout the years including deep sea fishing, rock climbing, biking, listening to old time country music, going to concerts and collecting cowboy memorabilia. After his retirement in January he brought his vision of owning a horse ranch to life. He lived by and took great pride in the simple principles of honesty, integrity, and hard work. He truly enjoyed meeting and making new friends which he did on a regular basis. He also practiced what he preached and was a great example to others. He was a father first, then a friend. And a molder of men.

Mel is survived by his wife, Renee of Sauk Rapids, children, Kyle (Stacy) of Hanover, Keith (Caroline) of Elk River, Kevin of Sauk Rapids, and Kris of CA; grandson, Jude; sisters and brothers, Mary Ann Stahlke of Watertown, SD, Eileen Lindner of Kranzburg, SD, Joseph (Millie) Strang of Grand Forks, ND, Carol (Marvin) Rinehart of Kranzburg, SD, Charlene (Tom) Bludorn of Watertown, SD, David (Joan) Strang of Strandburg, SD, Janice (Bryant) Reinhard of Boise, ID, and Richard (Wanda) Strang of Sioux Falls, SD.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers-in-law, Larry Stahlke and David Lindner.