Gary Engelstad

Gary Wayne Engelstad, age 59, of Litchfield formerly Eden Valley died at the Birchwood House in Hutchinson, Minnesota on Sunday, September 13, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, Minnesota with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 25, 2009 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Antler, North Dakota with his surviving brothers and his brother-in-law, Wayne Johnson, acting as pallbearers, a visitation time will be provided one hour prior to the services at church. Gary was born in Westhope, North Dakota on March 13, 1950 to Chester and Hazel Engelstad. He Attended Antler Public School and Bethel Lutheran Church in Antler, North Dakota. As a boy and a man, Gary had a heart for people. He was always willing to help out anyone with anything. He was a master at fixing things and keeping equipment running and maintained. He loved being on the farm with Rodney and Jo Anne Tennyson and the girls and considered them a surrogate family. Gary was involved with the trucking business for over 20 years and moved to Minnesota to be near his base. In 2007, he started his own trucking business. His constant companions in the truck for the last 14 yeast were Harley and Scooter, his Miniature Schnauzers. Besides Harley and Scooter, Gary's other enjoyments were riding his Harley Davidson, collecting train sets and antiques. You could often find him at auction or estate sales looking for treasures. He was a man who appreciated quality no matter the age of the item. Gary is survived by his fiance and soul mate, JoAnne Keldsen of Litchfield, Minnesota. Four children: Michelle (Greg) Anderson, Mark (Becky) Engelstad, Melissa (Jason) Hartkopf and Michael (Tiffany Dingmann) Englestad. Five grandchildren: Gage, Logan, Austin, Adrianna and Alexander. His is also survived by his parents, Chester and Hazel Engelstad as well as his siblings, William, Cinda, Crystal, Charlene, Lynn, Karen, James, Kevin and Todd as well as his much beloved Rodney and JoAnne Tennyson and family. He also loved and "adopted" JoAnne Keldsen's children, Melissa (Darrell) Scott and Cathi (Devin) Stapf and their children Daniel and Nathan Scott and Angie and Andrew Stapf. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers. Memorials may be sent to Augustana Lutheran Hospice, 218 N Holcombe Ave, Litchfield MN 55355 or The Mary Burich House, 710 Park Island Drive SW, Hutchinson MN 55350. Gary and his family wish to thank all those people who made his life so special, especially Rodney and JoAnne, Pastor & Mrs. Helland and Uncle Burl.