Michael C. Stanger, 71 of Watkins, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Fr. Jerome Naduvathaniyil and Fr. Richard Gross will concelebrate. Music will be by Mary Streit and the St. Anthony Choir. Special music will be by Fr. Michael Peterson. Interment will be in the Paynesville Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Ertl Funeral Home, Watkins.

Michael C. Stanger was born on March 29, 1943 at Paynesville, MN. He married Monica Kotz on August 31, 1963 at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Belgrade. They owned and operated Stanger's Restaurant and Recreation in Watkins from 1978 to 1988 and Michael also worked at the Cold Spring Granite Sheds during this time. Michael was then employed as a city maintenance worker with the City of Watkins for over 25 years until his retirement. Michael's hobbies included fishing, hunting and gardening. He enjoyed bird watching and spending time with his dog, Mollie.

Michael is survived by his sons, Peter (Jackie) Stanger of Maple Lake, Patrick Stanger of Watkins; grandchildren, Shelby, Anthony, Andrew and Elizabeth Stanger; bonus grandchildren, Andrew, Taylor and Hope Agnew; sisters, Patty Schmidt of Columbia Heights, Mary (Larry) Hedeen of Eden Valley, Jeannie (Mike) Lindell of Cold Spring. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Monica; brothers, Jim and Bill Stanger.

Source - Ertl Funeral Home

Source - Photo courtesy of Find a Grave member #48751156.