Darlene Engwall

Engwall, Vanita D. “Darlene” (nee Thompson) age 85 of Lakeville, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 12, in Lakeville. 

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025, St. John's Lutheran Church, 20165 Heath Ave., Lakeville, MN 55044. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, at 10:00 am. For those unable to attend the service, a livestream option will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@St.JohnsLutheranChurchLakevill. Interment will be at 11:00 am Saturday, January 18, 2025, Svea Lutheran Church Cemetery, 12651 15th St. SE Svea, MN 56216. Funeral services have been provided Peterson Brothers Funeral Home, 700 Becker Avenue Southwest, Willmar, MN 56201. www.petersonbrothers.com

The youngest of 7 children, Darlene was born on October 9, 1939, in Willmar, MN to Gladys and Albin Thompson. She attended elementary school in Spicer, MN and high school in Willmar, graduating in 1957. In 1961 Darlene married Paul Engwall of Willmar. They began their married life in Minneapolis, and would eventually live in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and New Jersey before spending their final years back in their home state of Minnesota. Along the way they welcomed their three children Eric, Nancy and Karen Joy.

Darlene held employment as a parish worker and church secretary at several congregations within the communities where she lived. Darlene was also a library attendant at both a high school and a community library. 

Darlene’s life was grounded by her strong faith, which was evident in most everything she did and how she lived - with kindness, compassion and a genuine interest in and love for the people around her.

She found her greatest joy when she was spending time with her family and was happy to do just about anything. She enjoyed going out for a ‘nice’ dinner, playing Chicken Foot dominoes, teaching her grandkids how to make greeting cards, taking an evening ride in the pontoon boat or just sitting on the porch sipping coffee. As long as she was with her family, she was happy. 

In the last two years of Darlene’s life, her cognitive decline led her to become a resident at BeeHive Homes of Lakeville. Darlene loved ‘the hive’ and thoroughly enjoyed her time there. The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate staff at BeeHive for the care they provided to her and the love they shared with her.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Rev. Paul R. Engwall, her parents Albin and Gladys Thompson, brother Morgan and sisters Mrs. Lorraine (Wallace) Wubbles, Mrs. Gwendolyn (Francis) Majerus, and Mrs. Ardith (David) Solomonson. 

She is survived by her children, Eric (Laura) Engwall, Nancy (Rick) Jordan, Karen Joy (David) DiDonato; grandchildren, Molly (Joe) Eggert, Carl and Anders Engwall, Mara, Ashton and Logan DiDonato, brother Willard Thompson and sister Mrs. Berdelle (Robert) Olson.