Kathleen W. Engel

Kathleen W. Engel, 96, Minden City MI, passed away January 3, 2018 at Courtney Manor, Bad Axe after a life full of prayerfully and faithfully serving her Lord. Katie was born January 14, 1921, in Detroit, MI to August and Ida (Spietz) Miller. She married William A. Engel, Sr. on April 18, 1942 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Richmond. He passed away February 17, 1997 after 54 years of marriage. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1939. Katie and Bill moved to Minden City in 1946 when they became owner, editor, and publishers of The Minden City Herald until 1982. There, they raised six children. Katie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Ladies’ Aid service group, the church choir, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). It was through the LWML that Katie cut fabric and sewed hundreds of quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She was involved in many civic and school activities. Katie was a member of the Minden City Lioness Club, the M&M’s Extension Group, Minden City Wednesday Night Bowling League and Ubly Band Boosters Club; she attended many band, athletic, and school events, supporting her children and grandchildren in their activities. Praying for others was an incredible gift that Katie was given in her long life. She was known for praying her prayer list every day. Having daily family devotions with a Bible reading and prayer was essential to Katie, and she was a good witness of her Christian faith. Even though Katie lived with dementia for the past few years, she remained friendly and grateful to her family and friends, and to the staff and residents of Courtney Manor for any kindness shown to her. Her family is thankful for the staff at Courtney Manor, who gave excellent and loving care to Katie. Katie is survived by her children, William Jr. (Sarah) Engel, Murphy, TX, Paul (Janice) Engel, Minden City, MI, Robert (Susan) Engel, Petoskey, MI, Mary (Arthur) Anderson, Grand Haven, MI, Frederick (Laura) Engel, Apex, NC, and Margaret (David) Johanson, Morgan Hill, CA. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Cynthia (Joe Landry) Engel, TX, Christine (Scott) Lawrence, TX, Melissa (Marty) Marks, Onsted, MI, Shelly (Mike) Shuart, Bad Axe, MI, Shannon Engel, Harbor Beach, MI, Jeffrey (Tiffany) Anderson, IN, Craig (Laura) Anderson, WI, Nicole (Kevin) Collins, Grand Haven, MI, Eric (Linn) Engel, WA, Brett (Christine) Engel, IL, Elizabeth Johanson, MO, and Mark (Elizabeth Marquardt) Johanson, NC; six step grandchildren, Cathy Wilson, TX, Pam Moss, OK, Bradley Berkau, CO. Kimmy Tolbert-Compton, IL, Allison Tolbert, Ecuador, and Natalie Tolbert, UT; 15 great-grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren, two step great great grandchildren; and one sister, Ellen Larzelere, Standish, MI. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and six siblings, Adelbert Miller, Vivian Kaufman, Mae Kopaczewski, Shirley Stec, Paul Miller, and Daniel Miller. Funeral services for Katie will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Forestville, with Pastor Richard Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be Sunday at the Smigielski Funeral Home, Minden City from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be made for landscaping improvements at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5034 Bay City-Forestville Rd., Minden City, MI 48456.