Services
Obituary
MaryLou Engstler, 88, of Britt passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024 at Westview Care Center in Britt.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 139 3rd Street South East in Britt with Father Andrew Marr officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Ewing Funeral Home, 178 Center Street West in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.
MaryLou, the daughter of George and Eunice (Burkholder) McLaughlin, was born on August 30, 1935 in Swaledale, Iowa. She grew up in the Swaledale area and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Mason City in 1953.
On August 20, 1955, MaryLou was united in marriage to Duane Engstler at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. They made their home on the family farm near Eagle Lake.
MaryLou and Duane loved being together and shared a love for traveling. Beginning in 1966, and continuing for over 60 years, their travels took them to all 50 United States, Germany, and the Caribbean. MaryLou and Duane also enjoyed taking family vacations every year with their children, a tradition which continued after all of their children graduated high school.
MaryLou loved caring for her family. She was an excellent cook and was known for her potato salad; homemade spaghetti sauce, a secret recipe that she learned while waitressing in school; and her wild rice dressing, a highlight of family get-togethers.
She was a school bus driver for Britt schools for 30 years. She enjoyed attending the school events of her children as well as the children she knew through her years of driving school bus. She will be remembered for her kind, caring, loving, and nurturing spirit.
MaryLou was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Catholic Daughters of America where she held various positions. She also helped the Boy Scouts make Hobo Stew for many years.
MaryLou is survived by her children Jean (William) Jennings of Wilton, James (Charlotte) Engstler of Britt, Joan (Todd) Bader of Clayton, Wisconsin, and John (Dianne) Engstler of Spencer; grandchildren Daniel Jennings, Ann (Evan) Haack, Patrick Jennings, Cassie (Spencer) Armstrong, Heather Engstler, Hannah (Eric) Reed, and Bryce Bader; great-granddaughter Harper Armstrong; brother Larry (Jean) McLaughlin; sister-in-law June (Homer) VanOort; and brother-in-law Russell (Monita) Engstler.
She was preceded in death by her husband Duane, parents George and Eunice McLaughlin, parents-in-law Alfred and Rose Engstler, brother and sister-in-law Veryle and Darlene McLaughlin, sister-in-law Charlene East, and brother-in-law Ronald Engstler.