Fred Gerald Engler

Fred Engler of Rush City passed away very unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the age of 90. Fred Gerald Engler was born July, 25, 1925 to Fred H. and Ella (Nordrum) Engler in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm east of Pine City, only a mile or two from where the Snake River runs into the St. Croix River. After high school, Fred worked for the Ford Garage in Pine City until he was drafted in 1945 where he served as a mechanic in the Army motor pool while stationed in Japan during the U.S. Occupation. Upon returning home, Fred resumed his duties at the Ford Garage. Fred met Inez Christenson at a dance at the Pine Camp Ballroom. They were married November 10, 1950. After Fred and Inez were married, he opened his own repair shop in Rock Creek. The building was in such disrepair Fred had to shovel snowdrifts out of the building before work. While working in Rock Creek, Fred and Inez bought Inez’s ancestral farm home east of Rock Creek. Later Fred became part owner in the Chevrolet dealership in Pine City. He eventually decided to move his repair business to his home shop in order to concentrate on farming and dairy cattle. Upon selling the farm in 1971, Fred and Inez built a home in Rush City. At that time, he also started a successful repair business in Rush City until his retirement. Fred was very active in the Rush City Community. He served on the Rush City City Council for thirteen years, the Rush City Hospital Board, held several offices in his church, served a term as Commander of the Grothe-Jacobson VFW and was a member of the Rush City American Legion. Fred and Inez began to travel south for the winter and finally purchased a home in Mission, Texas. For the next twenty-five years, until his death, they split their time between Rush City in the summer months and Mission, Texas during the winter. Fred is survived by his wife Inez Engler of Rush City, son Morry (Norma “Mona”) Engler of Rush City, daughter Marci Carlson of Lindstrom, grandchildren Mackenzie Osterdyk of Schafer, Aaron (Ariel) Engler of Salem, Massachusetts, Emily (Jason) Karlsson of Rush City and Brandon Osterdyk of Lindstrom, great-grandchildren Dayton, Devin, Olivia, Aaron, Simon, Lillian and Elsie, sister Vada Hanson of Rush City; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Fred H. and Ella Engler. Reverend John Beck will officiate at funeral services for Fred: 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rush City. Music will be provided by Emily Karlsson, Dick Scheele and Kim Halbert. Urn Bearers include Mackenzie Osterdyk, Brandon Osterdyk and Jason Karlsson. Honorary Urn Bearers include Aaron Engler, Ariel Engler and Emily Karlsson. Military honors will be provided by Grothe-Jacobson VFW Post #6692, Rush City American Legion Post #93 and the Minnesota National Guard. A gathering of family and friends is planned from 5-7 PM Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and one hour prior to the service at the church. The interment will take place at St. John’s Cemetery in Rush City. Funeral arrangements for Fred Engler are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City-Olson Chapel www.funeralandcremationservice.com