Durgesh Kumari Rangar

Durgesh Kumari Rangar, known affectionately as Minu, was born on January 29, 1944, in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, India, to late Maharaja Govind Singh and Rajmata Yadhuvansh Kumari of Maihar. She passed away surrounded by family on March 27, 2025, at the age of 81 in Smithfield, North Carolina, USA, where she had lived with her family since 1981.

Minu is survived by her devoted husband, Jitinder Singh Rangar, with whom she shared 59 wonderful years of marriage; her children, Dhwanendra (Dhwani) Singh Rangar (Amrita Grewal) and Dheerandra (Dheeraj) Singh Rangar (Jaspreet Kaur); and her cherished grandchildren, Vishvaraj Singh Rangar, Gitanjali Kumari Rangar (by Dhwani), Amrina Kumari Rangar, and Ranvir Singh Rangar (by Dheeraj). She is also survived by her beloved sisters, Kaushlindra (Mrinal) Singh (ManMohan Singh), Mithalindra (Mriganka) Gupta (Madhukar Gupta) and her nieces, Ketki Singh Puri, Gauri Singh, Jyoti Singh (Sumeet Verma), Bhavana Gupta (Bharatendra Singh), and her nephew, Shiv Gupta (Malvika Gupta) and her grand nieces and nephews, Yashasvini Kumari (by Bhavana), Kuvam Singh Puri, Yadvi Singh Kachwaha (by Keitki), Manvi Gupta, and Kabir Gupta (by Shiv).

Minu was a gifted artist who pursued her passion for art at Shantiniketan in India. She met her husband, Jitinder, while he was a medical intern and treated her mother. Their love story culminated in marriage, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love and memories, immigrating from India to England, and finally, to the USA in 1970.

In addition to her devotion to her family, Minu was an active member of her community. She served as a dedicated volunteer for many organizations and was a member of the Johnston County Gardening Club. Minu also made significant contributions to the Atlantic Coast Sikh Association, where she was a longtime member of the congregation and served the Gurdwara for many years.

An avid gardener, Minu found peace and joy in tending to her extraordinary garden, bringing so much joy through the life she nurtured in her garden. She expressed her creativity through various artistic mediums, including painting, photography, portrait painting, embroidery, drawing, and even designing prints for sarees. Above all, she deeply cherished her family and friends, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and generosity.

In honor of Minu’s well-known spirit of giving, the family kindly requests donations in her memory to the Atlantic Coast Sikh Association. Please make checks out to the Atlantic Coast Sikh Foundation for the Gurdwara’s building funds. They can be given to the family to submit on your behalf, or mailed to 3108 Sparger Rd, Durham, NC, 27705. The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital for their incredible care and kindness during this difficult time.

Minu will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. The Kirtan (prayer service) will be held on April 12th, 2025 at 3108 Sparger Rd, Durham, NC, 27705 at 11:00am. Langar (lunch) will be served. We invite all who would like to pay their respects and remember Minu to attend. Please bring a head covering (or one will be provided) and easily removable shoes out of respect for the Gurdwara.