Rev. Stephen LeRoy ENGELSTAD

ENGELSTAD, OEHLER, KITTREDGE, MARTIN, THOMPSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/28/2015 at 16:06:13

February 5, 1920 --- July 23, 2015

ST. ANSGAR, IOWA - Pastor Stephen LeRoy Engelstad, 95, entered into his heavenly home on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at the I.O.O.F. Home, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with the Rev. Lance Kittleson officiating. Burial will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, St. Ansgar. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, and one hour prior to service at the church. Military honors will be presented by the Walter T. Ennenberg Post #358 of the American Legion.

Stephen was born February 5, 1920, at his family home near Astoria, South Dakota. He graduated from high school in 1938. He stayed on the family farm until he served in the Army Aircorp as an airplane mechanic for four years. Upon his return he worked the family farm. Having the opportunity to continue his education he enrolled in Augsburg College where he pursued religion studies. After graduating from Augsburg College he entered Northwest Luther Seminary where he graduated after he completed his internship in Strum, Wisconsin.

Stephen was ordained in May 1955, with his first parish being in Fairdale, North Dakota, followed by Irene, South Dakota, Rockford, Iowa, Estherville, Iowa, and St. Ansgar, Iowa, where he retired. During retirement he served as visitation pastor in Cresco, Iowa, and St. James Lutheran Church, Mason City. Pastor Engelstad’s life work was committed to the service of the Lord. Starting at an early age he showed an interest in working as a youth leader. His commitment to service lasted a lifetime. His hobbies included traveling, gardening and he was an avid reader.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Maynard, Raymond and Luther; two sisters, Myrtle and Verna. Pastor is survived by his wife Viola who he married on October 19, 1946 in Kanawha, Iowa; his children, Dianne Oehler, David Engelstad, Daniel Engelstad, Jonathan Engelstad, Joy Martin and Janice Kittredge; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, Iowa;

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
28 July 2015

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[married Viola Thompson in Kanawha, Iowa on October 19, 1946. daughter of William and Tena (Luthro) Thompson]