DeLoris Engevik, 91, Staples, MN, formerly Gatzke, MN, died Wednesday April 6, 2011 at Lakewood Health Systems, Staples, MN.

Funeral service will be 11 AM, Monday, April 11, 2011 at United Lutheran Church, Gatzke, MN with Reverend Katie Koch officiating. Burial will be at Landstad Cemetery, Gatzke, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 7 PM, Sunday, April 10, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to the service, Monday.

DeLoris Caroline Mackie was born May 11, 1919 in Alvarado, MN the daughter of Ralph and Agnes (Nelson) Mackie. She was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith. DeLoris graduated from Alvarado High School and attended Northstar Teachers Training in Warren, MN. In school she was active in tennis, band and choir; DeLoris loved the music aspects.

Her first teaching position was at Wildwood School in Veldt Township, near Gatzke, MN and she lived with Eddie and Nora Engelstad. She met her husband, Reuben, while she was teaching. They were married in Holt, MN on September 27, 1941.

Reuben and DeLoris settled on a farm in Veldt Township and raised three children, Naomi, Mary and Nathan. DeLoris was a member of United Lutheran Church at Gatzke, MN. DeLoris enjoyed teaching Sunday School, 4-H, gardening, blueberry picking, cooking, and many community activities. After retirement, DeLoris and Reuben enjoyed the many activities of their children and grandchildren. The quality of the last years at the Gatzke farmstead was greatly enhanced by the friendship of Rich and Carol Engelstad and Glen Limesand. DeLoris moved to Lakewood Pines at Staples, MN four years ago. The highlights of the past four years were visits from her Gatzke friends.

DeLoris Engevik was a professional teacher most of her adult life. She taught school at Gatzke, Skime, Grass Lake and Goodridge. She served as principal at Skime and Grass Lake during those years. She later graduated from Bemidji State College in 1971.

Left to mourn her passing are daughters, Naomi (Ron) Beachy, Staples, MN and Mary (Dean) Anderson, Newfolden, MN; son, Nathan (Karen) Engevik, Roseau, MN; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Reuben, in 2002; sister, Anne Johnson Nelson; brothers, Ralph and William Mackie; parents; and step-father, John Pearson.


ORGANIST: Gloria Sistad
SOLOIST: David Anderson In The Garden & Sunrise Sunset
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Borning Cry & Children Of The Heavenly Father
PALLBEARERS: Jessica Rahman, Ramelle Day, Arden Beachy, Collin Beachy, Kara Anderson, Ryan Beachy, Leah Anderson, Johan Engevik, Amy Marsen, Dan Adkins, Jill Anderson, Katie Engevik