Engebretson, Darlyne Geneva (1926-2009)

ENGEBRETSON, JOHNSON, ASKE, ROBERTS, DIVAN, NESSET, LANGFALD, NELSON

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/21/2013 at 19:03:33

Darlyne Geneva Engebretson
November 10, 1926 - February 24, 2009

Darlyne Geneva (Johnson) Engebretson, age 82, of Vinje, died Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City, Iowa.

A fun-loving, hard-working lady of 82 years, Darlyne left her earthly home to be with her Heavenly Father. Having lived her Christian beliefs in word and deed every day as a superb teacher, dedicated “church lady,” and caring friend and neighbor, she leaves behind a legacy of integrity and the respect of her family, friends, acquaintances, and students. She will be missed by all her family and friends.

She was born on November 10th, 1926, to Benjamin and Jeanette (Aske) Johnson in Amund, Iowa. The family soon moved to the family farm at Vinje, Iowa. Having attended school at Logan #2 north of Vinje and teacher training at the high school in Kiester, Minnesota, she graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1944.

Darlyne married Merel H. Engebretson at the Lutheran parsonage in Scarville, Iowa, on July 29, 1945. They made their home in rural Vinje until after Merel’s death in 1999. She, then, moved to Forest Plaza in Forest City and eventually to her final earthly home at the Good Samaritan Society in Forest City, Iowa, the perfect place on this earth for her life to end since it epitomized that of a good Samaritan.

A life-long member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Vinje, Iowa, she was both baptized and confirmed there. Involved in all the Ladies Aid and Circle activities as well as the Junior Lutherans, she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as well. The church remained inseparable from every aspect of her life. At the end, however, she sorely missed both the services and her church family at Bethel.

A dedicated, hands-on teacher, who strove to instill in her students a love of learning and an appreciation of peoples and cultures, “Mrs. Engebretson” received her Normal School Training at Kiester, Minnesota, as well as at Lake Mills, Iowa. After many years of night school and summer school, she earned a B.S. degree cum laude from Mankato State University. Having first taught country school in Eden and Logan Townships, she moved on to the elementary school in Joice. Eventually, she started at the Lake Mills Community School as a substitute Reading teacher before becoming a full-time elementary school teacher. She retired in 1989.

Darlyne loved music, bowling, fishing, card parties, bingo, camping, traveling and just about any other activity that involved laughing and talking with other people. One of the first to offer help to anyone in any kind of need or distress, she was always ready, willing, and able to volunteer for any community organization or church activity. She loved and appreciated the opportunity to use her special talents to volunteer with RSVP, 8th Grade QUEST Classes, W.O.W., the Lake Mills Care Center, and the Neighborhood Food Bank in Forest City. She felt all children truly needed a whole community to help them grow and mature, and she saw herself as a Mom and Grandma for all of them whether they lived down the road or across the world. She felt totally comfortable shaking her finger at and scolding anyone for any miscreant behavior as well as giving a thumbs-up to anyone who had earned it.

She is survived by five children, Mary Engebretson, of Mobile, Alabama, Darrel and Liz Engebretson, of Des Plaines, Illinois, Deb, and her husband, Steve Roberts, of Lake Mills, Iowa. Pamela, and her husband, Al Divan, of Vinje, Iowa, and Wendy, and her husband, Mike Nesset, of Garner, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Stacy (Johnny), Jeremy (Krystal), Jason (Michele), Craig (Patty), Josh, Sarah, Jake, Jesse, and Jeff; five great-grandchildren, Jade, Ethan, Johnny, Ian, and Caitlin; two sisters, Gloria Langfald, of Scarville, Iowa, and Ione, and her husband, Norman Nelson, of Forest City, Iowa; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Darlyne was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one daughter, Marlene Diane, in infancy; one infant granddaughter, Angela; and two brothers, Donald and Marvin.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 PM, Saturday, February 28, 2009, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Vinje, Iowa, with Pastor Chris Fiske officiating. Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 PM, Friday, February 27, 2009, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, Iowa 50450, and again one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, Vinje, Iowa.

The Family request that memorials be made to Bethel Lutheran Church. You are also encouraged make or bring any donation or non-perishable food item to the visitation/service for “The Neighborhood Food Bank” in Forest City, Iowa, an organization close to Darlyne’s heart.

Copyright © 2009, Mittelstadt Funeral Home

Mittelstadt Funeral Home
 

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