Arlene F. (Hagel) Engler, 89, passed away Oct. 6, 2008, in Ramsey, Minn.
She was born Feb. 22, 1919, in New York Mills to Carl and Lydia (Salo) Hagel. She grew up on the family farm south of New York Mills. She graduated from the New York Mills High School with the class of 1937. After high school, she and a friend, Helen Jacobson, hitchhiked to Chicago. In Chicago they had employment waiting at Guardian Electric. This is where she met her husband of 66 years. On Aug. 15, 1942, she married William S. Engler. Their marriage was blessed with four children. He served in the Army during World War II. During the time he served his country, she resided in New York Mills. After Bill returned from the war, they made their home in Chicago. Bill was employed with a jeweler, was a cab driver, and began his career with Skil Corporation, while she raised their family. In 1954, the Engler family moved to Minneapolis where she began employment with Munsingwear, then later working for Honeywell for 25 years. He continued his occupation with Skil for 32 years, retiring in 1982. In 1982, they made their summer home on Big Pine Lake, rural New York Mills, while they enjoyed wintering in Florida and Texas before settling in Mesa, Ariz., for the following winters. They loved traveling, visiting casinos and visiting with family and friends. Arlene and Bill together really enjoyed the lake, where they had some of the best times of their lives.
Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 10, at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in New York Mills with the Rev. Don Salo officiating. The pallbearers were David Jetenberg, Bill Salo, Alvin Amberg, LeRoy Salo, Mark Januszewski and Bob Huebsch. The honorary pallbearers were all of her nieces: Louise, Loretta, Lisa, Kathy, Kristi, Marylyn and Mardelle. Arrangements were provided by the Karvonen & Son Funeral Home of New York Mills. Condolences may be sent online at www.karvonenandsonfuneralhome.com .
Survivors include her husband of 66 years, William S. Engler of New York Mills; three daughters: Billie Jane (Don) Mintjal of Tuscon, Ariz., Sandy (John) Falatic of Maple Grove, and Jody (Mark) Toetschinger of Mendota Heights; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many other relatives; and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Michael Engler in 1971; three sisters, Elaine Jetenberg, Phyllis Sparks and Velora Kaisalahti; and a brother, Curtis Hagel.
