JOHN ERICK ENGSTROM, 89, of 4115 Jeffers Road, Eau Claire died Sunday, January 5, 2003 at Luther Hospital after a brief illness. He was born October 25, 1913 in Larson, North Dakota the son of Erick and Martha (McDaniel) Engstrom. John married Hazel D. Gilbert in Eau Claire on September 12, 1943.\r\nHe served in the South Pacific and Alaska with U.S. Army Engineer Corps from 1942 to 1945. With the Corps he helped to build airstrips, bridges and worked on the Alcan Highway. John was employed with U.S. Postal Service for twenty-six years, retiring as a mail carrier in 1973. He was a member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and VFW Post #305. John enjoyed working on his farm and gardening for many years.\r\nSurvivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Hazel; seven children, Paul (Sharon) Engstrom and Kathy (Howard) Nelson both of Eau Claire, Maxine (Bob) Brown of Union Grove, Jan (Kerry) Stewart, John (Joan) Engstrom, Dave (Vicki) Engstrom and Mary Kamke all of Eau Claire; fifteen grandchildren, Steve (Jenny) Gunter, Rob (Nikki) Brown, Kim (Greg) Stilwell, Eric and Jana Nelson, Tara (Steve) Cance, Jodi (Dan Fisher) Stewart, Jeff (Peggy) Engstrom, Joel Engstrom, Mike (Angie) Engstrom, Kevin Engstrom, AnG Engstrom, Renee'(Dan) Dawson, Mackenzie (Jason Klohs) Kamke and Jay Kamke; twelve great-grandchildren, April and Jeff Gunter, Bobby Boone, Kylie Stilwell, Ashley Hohman, Austin Cance, Jacob Engstrom, Emma and Dane Engstrom, Kaitlyn, Logan and Alexander Dawson; a sister, Phyllis (Howard) Erkel of Denver, CO; sister-in-law, Ethel Engstrom of Altadena, CA; brother-in-law, Bud Nygaard of Tioga, ND; and many nieces, nephews and friends.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; a great granddaughter, Rachelle Gunter; four brothers, Wallace, Clarence, Stuart and Paul; and four sisters, Esther, Mabel, Paula and Marjorie.\r\nJohn was a loving husband, father and grandfather; he will be greatly missed by his family. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2003 at Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, with Pastor John E. Hosmann officiating. Burial will be in Lutheran Church Cemetery. Family and Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.\r\nIn lieu of flowers his family requests memorials be directed to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd or the donor's choice.

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