Bruce Dennis Bang, 73, of Red Wing, died unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. He was born Sept. 30, 1950, in Red Wing, to Elmer and Harriet (Muhlman) Bang. He grew up on the family farm in Hager City and graduated in 1968 from Ellsworth High School. While in school he was active in FFA and had served as the state president. He was also on the wrestling team and had been involved with 4-H. Following high school, he began working at Red Wing Shoe Company and then Ralston Purina.
Bruce married his high school sweetheart, Marthene Funk on March 21, 1970, at Svea Lutheran Church and together they were blessed with two sons and 54 years of marriage. Bruce began a life-long career as a truck driver, doing over-the-road trucking for over 40 years. He also served in the National Guard for six years from 1968-1974. His passion for farming and agriculture went beyond his years in FFA, as he crop farmed in his adult life and enjoyed working on food plots for his hunting land. He greatly loved deer hunting and was drawn into the sport for the conservation and management of wildlife that it provided.
In his younger days, Bruce played on several softball teams, some being the Oasis Bar of Plum City and Corner Drug and Red Men Club of Red Wing. He also played baseball for the Bay City Bombers. In addition to hunting and spending time with family at their “hunting camps”, Bruce enjoyed fishing--whether it was ice fishing, fishing on the river or entering in a pro-walleye tournament, it was a past time he always fond of. Other passions he enjoyed were cooking BBQ for family gatherings, “early” morning coffee with the boys and his unwavering dedication to his Minnesota Vikings.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Marthene of Red Wing; two sons, Shawn (Edwena) Bang of Red Wing and Bjorn (Ann) Bang of Esdaile; 4 grandchildren, Crissanda (Ben) Andrist, Travis (Caitie Rose) Hanson, and Zoia and Zeke Bang; 4 great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert (Redina) Bang of Ellsworth; brothers-in-law, Steve (Maureen) Funk and Conrad (Mary) Funk; sisters-in-law, Juliann (Lee) Holmes, Laurel Mason and Raynee Farrell; many nieces and nephews and several trucking friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Paul Bang; father and mother-in- law, Arthur and Martha “Jane” Funk and a brother-in-law, Tom Farrell.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Sat., Sept. 28, 2024 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Ellsworth Chapel with Rev. Alex Aakre officiating. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday and for one hour prior to the service, all at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Svea Lutheran Church.
