Willis G. Engh

Willis Gerald Engh, 86, of Kanawha went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at the Kanawha Community Home.

Funeral services for Willis Engh will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 10:30 AM at the Kanawha Lutheran Church, 124 West Fourth Street in Kanawha with Pastors Geoffrey and Char White officiating.  Interment will take place at Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha.

Visitation for Willis Engh will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, December 13, 2013, at Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East Second Street in Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Willis was born January 11, 1927, to William and Grace (Michelson) Engh at Goldfield, Iowa.  That same year, the family moved to a farm west of Kanawha.  He was baptized in the St. John’s Lutheran Church and confirmed in the Kanawha Lutheran Church, where he was a member his entire life.  During his lifetime, Willis served on the Church Council and Farm Bureau board.  He was a member of the American Legion for many years.  Willis attended grade school at Magor #5, Corwith High School for two years, and then graduated from Kanawha High School in 1945.  Willis enlisted in the Navy during his senior year.  Following his discharge, he farmed in the Kanawha area.

Willis married Arlene Anderson on March 19, 1948.  They farmed in the Kanawha area for 41 years, retiring in 1989, when they moved into Kanawha.  Willis enjoyed spending time with his family, his many fishing trips, bowling, traveling, farming, and early morning coffee and problem solving at “The Shed”.

Grateful for having had the privilege of sharing in his life are his wife of 65 years, Arlene; their three sons and their families: Arnold and friend (Diane Sipes) of Kanawha, Brandie (Roger) Witte, Collin, Brett, Katelyn and Nathan, of Rockwell, Billie Jo Shahan, Jaiden and Jenna of Ackley, Bradlee (Andrea) Engh, Bryce of Rockwell; Monte (Vicki) of Ankeny, Kari (Matthew) Barros of Omaha, Jeffrey (Andrea) Engh, Ethan and Eviana of Grimes, Chris (Emily) Engh of Ames; Doyce and friend (Becky Gayken) of Kanawha,  Justin Engh and friend (Brandi Hrubes) of Clear Lake, Ryder Willis Engh of Hutto, Texas, Derek (Lizanne) Engh,  Weston of Britt.  Willis is also survived by brother, Kermit Engh of Grand Junction, Colorado and sister, Shirley Engstrom of Kanawha; numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace Engh, mother and father-in-law, Nellie and Edward Anderson, sisters-in-law, Jessie Engh, Donna Anderson and Anne Anderson; brothers-in-law, Frank Engstrom, Donald Anderson and Gerald Anderson.