Dean Elwyn Engstrom

Dean Elwyn Engstrom was born June 30, 1936, to Lynn and Eleanor (Patterson) Engstrom in rural Stratford, Iowa. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1955 and from Iowa State University in 1959, through the ROTC program. He married Doris Henning on Dec. 27, 1960. Dean served as an Electronic Warfare Officer on B-52’s in the U.S. Air Force from 1960-64. Afterwards he worked briefly for the Farmers Home Administration in Iowa and the Farm Business Association in Iowa and Illinois. He then farmed in Iowa for several years. Dean served as the Nigerian Mission Business Manager for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, from 1984-1992 in Obot Idim, Nigeria. He finished his fulltime career with Missouri Child Support Enforcement for the State of Missouri in St. Louis. Dean was active in several churches, most recently St. Luke’s LCMS in Oviedo, FL. He and Doris also volunteered with the local food pantry and worked part-time for the Colonial Funeral Home for many years.

Dean was a kind and hard-working soul. He was a life-long conservationist, from his earliest years as a low-impact farmer to his final years as a native plant enthusiast with a backyard butterfly sanctuary. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Daryl Engstrom, and his baby daughter, Amy. He is survived by his wife Doris; his son Douglas (Cathy) Engstrom of Johnston, IA, and his daughter, Debra Blackwood of  Orlando, FL. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Sarah Engstrom of West Des Moines, IA, Emily Blackwood and Warner Blackwood of Orlando; and his sister Judy Denekas of Story City, IA.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Heifer International; heifer.org