William "Bill" Engelke

William “Bill” Engelke was born on August 1, 1955 in Owatonna, Minnesota.  His parents are Kay (Stewart) Engelke and the late Richard Engelke.  Bill was confirmed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena.  He attended the Crosier Seminery 9th, 10th & 11th grade and graduated from the Wadena High School with the class of 1973.  Bill graduated from the Wadena Vocational Technical College in Wadena with a degree in accounting and electronics. 

On November 29, 1975 Bill was united in marriage with Janeen Wallgren at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills.  Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Heather and Nicole.  Together they made their home in Wadena, Bill was employed at Wadena Dairy Products Laboratory as the Quality Control Manager.  For a short time he did construction work and then managed Radio Shack in Redwood Falls.

Bill served as an active member of the Wadena Elks for 37 years. He worked with D.A.R.E., Elks Youth Camp, and the Scholarship Program.  He also cooked for various organizations, weddings and benefits. He was a member of Knob Hill and enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood working, cooking and attending auction sales. 

On November 16, 2019 Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Wadena surrounded by his loving family, while under the care of Knute Nelson Hospice.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding Bill in death was his father, Richard Engelke.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Janeen Engelke of Wadena; daughters: Heather (Michael) Heller of Verndale and Nicole (Jason) Johnson of Verndale; 5 grandchildren: Tristen, Logan, Ethan, Isaac and Kaylee;  Mother, Kay Engelke of Spring Valley; siblings: Lynn (Jon) Haugan of Preston, Raymond Engelke of Mosinee, Wisconsin and James (Julie) Engelke of Inver Grove Heights; many other relatives and a host of friends.

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