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 1984-1991(?) 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.

Memorials may be directed to the Heifer International; heifer.org