Carl Engstrom

Carl W. "Jr." Engstrom, age 82, of rural Pennock, died Thursday, May 22, at his home following an extended illness.
Services will be 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, May 28, at United Methodist Church in Willmar. The interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Renville with Military Honors provided by the Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 of Willmar. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Tuesday, May 27, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Carl Walter Engstrom was born September 22, 1931, on the family farm, west of Renville, Minnesota. He grew up in the rural Renville community and attended country school and later Renville Public Schools. He was baptized at Opdahl Lutheran Church in rural Renville, and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Renville. At age 17, he enlisted in the Air Force and he was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas during the Korean Conflict. On May 9, 1953, he married Darlene Mae Kurtz in Austin, Texas. Carl was discharged in March 1955 and they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota, where Carl worked at a bakery. In 1956, they moved to Willmar and Carl worked at Nelsen Laundry and as a cab driver. In 1960, he began working as a custodial engineer for the Willmar Public Schools and worked there until his retirement in 1991. Carl and Darlene moved to their home on Swenson Lake near Pennock in 1996. They also wintered for several years in Donna, Texas.
Carl was a member of the United Methodist Church, the American Legion Post 167 for 56 years, bowling league, Pheasants Forever, and was a founding member of the Willmar Sportsman's Club. He enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, and bow hunting. Searching for antiques and "great finds" at auctions and rummage sales was a favorite pastime for Carl. He also enjoyed riding motorcycle, camping, and vacationing with his family.
Carl is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Darlene; six children, Chris (and Steve) Kurtzbein of Willmar, Ann Visser (and Bud Hamlin) of Pennock, Dale (and Robbi) Engstrom of Lakeville, Dick (and Joyce) Engstrom of Atwater, Jay (and Marcy) Engstrom of Port Wing, WI and Bob (and Wendy) Engstrom of Pennock; sixteen grandchildren, Nathan (and Julie) Kurtzbein, Courtney (and Corey) Piekarski, Kari (and Brian) McPhail, Kyle (and Erica) Visser, Katelyn Visser (and special friend, Scotty), Tracy (and Mike) Cassano, Lee (and Missy) Engstrom, Cory Engstrom (and special friend, Tiffanie), Jason Engstrom, Amanda Engstrom, Nicole (and Mike) Winfield, Brad (and Christina) Gottlieb, Tom Gottlieb, Zachary Engstrom, Christopher Engstrom (and special friend, Veronica), and Madelyn Engstrom; nineteen great-grandchildren, Eric, Ean, Eli, Caleb, Cade, Desirae, Domonique, Donovan, Abagail, Addison, Ethan, Ryan, Hailey, Anthony, Kyla, Jace, Trey, Malik, and Olivia; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Engstrom of Florida and Lorraine Kurtz of Buffalo; his beloved dog, Missy; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Hjalmar Engstrom and John Engstrom; a half-brother, Alvin Engstrom; and sisters-in-law, Louise Engstrom and Shirley Engstrom.

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