Fern E. Engstrom

Belgrade
July 13, 1917 - July 3, 2012

Fern E. Engstrom, age 94, of Belgrade, died Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.  Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2012 at Grace Lutheran Church in Belgrade.  Burial will be in the Grace West Cemetery in Belgrade.  Visitation will be held one prior to the service at the church.  Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Belgrade. 

Fern Ethelwyn Engstrom was born in Minneapolis on July 13, 1917 to William Martin and Olive Manda (Anderson) Anderson. She graduated from West high school in Minneapolis. She devoted her life to getting people to smile and to move their feet to music. She studied tap and was a tap dance instructor from age 12 until age 85. She was also an avid square, round and clog dancer with her husband Oliver. Living the early part of their marriage in the Minnetonka area (Oak Knoll), they moved to Belgrade MN. After their two boys had graduated from high school they returned to Minneapolis and eventually retired in Belgrade. There, she started a band, called Toot ‘n’ Tappers and with other seniors, energetically entertained folks at many events within a 50-mile radius of Belgrade. They played kazoos accompanied by piano, interspersed with Oliver’s “magic” act and some tap dancing. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and Martha Circle.

She will always remember her caring concern for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, kitties, and other cute and small things. Her unstoppable energy was an inspiration to many and she found joy in making other people laugh, play music, and move their feet. We are all truly blessed to have known her.

Fern died on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood at the age of 94.  She is survived by her children, Curtis (Erna Marie) Engstrom and Gary (Christine) Engstrom; her five grandchildren, Jonathan Engstrom, Christopher (Althea Faricy) Engstrom, Erik (Joanna) Engstrom, Heidi (Erik) Wilson and Gretchen (Jeff Boland) Engstrom; former daughter-in-law, Jinx Engstrom, six great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Fern was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver; sisters, Esther (Pat Hammerstad) and Lucille (Phil Vedness), her twin brother, Forris “Bud” (Betty) Anderson.