Carolyn E. Engebretson, 73, of Rochert, Minnesota, died Thursday, June 9, 2011 at her home under the care of her sons and friends with help from Hospice of the Red River Valley. Carolyn was born on July 11, 1937, the daughter of Henry and Mabel (Berglund) Lindskog in Duluth, Minnesota. She was raised in Grand Marais. Carolyn attended Maple Hill Elementary School and graduated from Cook County High School in 1955. She continued her education at Concordia College in Moorhead, receiving a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in physical education graduating in 1959. Carolyn worked as a parish worker in Christian Education in Breckenridge, Minnesota and Brookings, South Dakota before taking the same position at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes.
After moving to Detroit Lakes, Carolyn met and was united in marriage to Jerome O. Engebretson on November 14, 1964 in Detroit Lakes. Carolyn took some time to raise their three sons, before returning to work with Mahube Head Start. Her work with Mahube seemed endless and she loved every minute of it. Later she was a reading tutor for Detroit Lakes Vocational Technical College. At the Technical College she also taught English as a Second Language and worked with the non-traditional student program, as well as displaced homemakers. She served on the Height of Land Township Board and was elected Becker County Commissioner in 1988, serving four terms until 2004. Carolyn was very active with countless organizations, such as Becker County Historical Society and Northwest Synod Council, was appointed by the Governor to the Environmental Quality Board. She served on the Red River Basin Board.
She was chosen as a delegate to travel to Israel, the focus being women’s issues. She traveled to Nicaragua to study the effects of climate change on the poor. She was the organist for Immanuel Lutheran Church at Shell Lake for almost three decades. Music was an inspiration in her life and an expression of her faith. She enjoyed attending functions at various churches as her faith was the foundation for her life.
Carolyn was a true advocate for justice, representing the underserved and was a steward of the Earth. Her outspoken and good humored nature touched many lives. She lived her life to serve. Carolyn is survived by her three sons, Bruce (Budd) Engebretson of White Earth, MN; John Engebretson of Rochert, MN; Mark (Laurel Hyvonen) Engebretson of Duluth, MN; two grandchildren, Jonah and Aida Engebretson; four sisters, Olive Brugge of Barrington, IL; Eleanor Waha of Grand Marais, MN; Irene (Walter) Thompson of Grand Marais, MN; Lorraine (Doug) McDonald of Black River Falls, WI; four brothers, Roland Saethre of Pine River, MN; Dale (Dale) Saethre of Ormand Beach, FL; Chester (Sherrie) Lindskog of Grand Marais, MN; Roy (Donna) Lindskog of Colville, WA; sisters- in-law Deloris Saethre of Grand Marais and Nola Lindskog of Battle Mountain, NV; and numerous nieces and nephews. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jerome (1995), and two brothers, Russell Lindskog and Lyle Saethre. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Mary’s Place (shelter for women and children) PO Box 394, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 or ELCA Disaster Response (note in memo-God’s Global Barnyard), 39330 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694. Funeral services were Monday, June 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, MN. Those wanting to share memories and condolences are invited to use the messages of sympathy section at www.westkjos.com.
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