ENGELS, Emiel Peter 1912-2005

ENGELS, TAETS, EWEN, ROTTINGHAUS, KELLEY, CROWELL, HUNTLEY

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 3/21/2013 at 13:39:41

Emiel Peter Engels – October 24, 1912 – December 28, 2005

ROCKFORD — Emiel P. Engels, 93, a resident of Heritage Care Center in Mason City and formerly of 211 Seventh St. N.E. in Rockford, died early Wednesday morning (Dec. 28, 2005) at Heritage Care Center.

The Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Name Catholic Church, 507 First Ave. N.W. in Rockford, with Rev. Craig E. Steimel officiating. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, with military respects provided by the Walker-Graper Post No. 338.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Holy Name Catholic Church, 507 First Ave. N.W. in Rockford, with a Scripture service beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by the reciting of the rosary. The visitation will continue one hour prior to Emiel’s service Saturday at the church. Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com Web site. Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Emiel P. Engels Memorial Fund.

Emiel Peter Engels was born Oct. 24, 1912, in Anawan, Ill., to August and Louise (Taets) Engels. He was the first child of eight children born to his parents and moved to Rock Falls in 1918, where he attended school. In 1928, Emiel moved with his family to the Rockford area.

Emiel was inducted into the United States Army on Sept. 2, 1942, from Camp Dodge, Iowa, and served his country during World War II. After honorably and faithfully completing his duties, Emiel was formally discharged from his military service on Oct. 23, 1945, from Camp Polk, Louisiana.

At the 1948 New Year’s Eve dance in Manly, Emiel met the love of his life, Helen Louise Ewen. The couple was united in marriage on Aug. 28, 1948, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dougherty. They continued to enjoy dancing, playing cards, especially 500, with relatives and friends and became the proud parents of five children.

Emiel was a well-known livestock and grain farmer in the Rockford area. His highest priority was always the interests of his family. He was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Rockford and the American Legion posts in Rockwell and Rockford.

Some of Emiel’s leisure activities and interests throughout his life included farming with John Deere equipment, camping, fishing, playing pool, avidly reading the National Geographic and Readers Digest magazines, watching western movies or reading books based on the Old West era. He is described as a quiet and kind man with a strong faith. He had a wonderful sense of humor and delighted in grilling steaks or eating the great home cooked meals and pies that Helen prepared.

Beyond farming, some friends and relatives will recall Emiel’s employments at Nachurs Fertilizer or working as the assistant grounds keeper at the Rockford Country Club. Emiel retired in 1975 and moved from the farm to his home in Rockford.

Emiel will be dearly missed by all who have shared in his life.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen L. Engels of Rockford; his children, August “Gus” (Marilyn) Engels of Rockford, Steve (Sue) Engels of Plainfield, LuAnn (Glen) Engels-Hepker of Mason City, Chuck Engels of Rockford and Lisa (Jeff) Kelley of Rockford; and his sister, Madelyn Rottinghaus of Mason City. Emiel will also be a cherished memory of his six grandchildren, Michael (Patti) Engels, Rebecca Engels, Todd Engels, Heather Engels, Melissa Engels and Christian Engels; his three step-grandchildren, Andy Hilbrands, Renee Kelley and Shawna Kelley; his two great-grandchildren, Alexia and Brendan Engels and numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceding Emiel in death are his parents, August and Louise Engels; two sisters, Mary Crowell and Alberta Huntley; two sisters in infancy; and two brothers, John and Charlie Engels.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 W. Main Ave. in Rockford, is in charge of arrangements, (641) 756-3311. www.fullertonfh.com

Globe Gazette, Friday December 30, 2005