Donald E. Kray

Donald Edward Kray, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 in Lino Lakes, MN.​Donald (Don) was born January 19, 1941 at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Don lived in Saint Paul, MN for most of his life. First living in the Energy Parkway area as a baby then over in the Highland Park area as a young child into his twenties. He attended Holy Spirit Catholic School and Cretin-Derham Hall before attending the University of Saint Thomas. Don wore many hats with his jobs throughout the years. He worked at PJ Murphy's bakery, was a bartender at Launch Pad and Loose Ends in Mounds View, worked as a printing operator at his father's print shop in the Midway area, and he was a medical lab technician in the Army. He spent the rest of his working career as a sidewalk cartographer, surveyor and traffic light maintenance worker for the City of St. Paul up until his retirement in June 1999. Donald also was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts for many years. He served as a leader, council member, and merit badge counselor.  Donald married his loving wife, Joyce Marie on September 6, 1965; and they were blessed with five children: Glenn, David, Edward, Thomas and Lorraine. As a devout Catholic, he volunteered at Maternity of Mary for many years as a Eucharistic minister, lector, homebound ministries, and helped out on grounds maintenance. Don also enjoyed helping neighbors; collecting stamps, cans, coins, and more; woodworking; biking; and sneaking treats that Joyce would make for special occasions. Don was a true believer that he could turn anything, no matter how broken, into something useful.  Donald was preceded in death by his father and mother, Edward and Margaret Kray; his loving wife, Joyce Marie Edson; his son, Edward Peter; his sister, Rita Waste; brother-in-law, Robert Waste; niece and nephews; Kenny (Diane) Waste , Paul Johnson, Joanne Carlson, and Dennis Waste. Donald is survived by children, Glenn (Gina) Kray of Shoreview, David (Cathy) Kray of Roseville, Thomas Kray of White Bear Lake, and Lorraine (David) Stafford of Columbus; 16 grandchildren: Elizabeth, Timothy (Tara), Joseph (Audrey), Jonathan, William, Brendan, Amanda (Colin), Kaitlyn, Brian, Charlie, Crystal (Taylor), Carleigh, Theresa, Samuel, Catherine, James; 4 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Tessa, Ella and Oliver; and many nieces and nephews.​Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Wednesday, February 9 at MATERNITY OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1414 N. Dale St., St. Paul. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 8 from 4-7 PM at MUELLER-BIES FUNERAL HOME - ROSEVILLE, 2130 N. Dale St. at County Rd B, and at the church from 9:30 - 10:30 AM on Wednesday. There will be no luncheon or burial following the Mass.