The Reverend James Fraley Engel, Sr. (91) went to glory on June 15, 2014 in Watertown, MN. Born July 1, 1922 in Gladbrook, Iowa, James was a wise, loving man with a quick wit and a tireless work ethic that began at the age of 7 with both a community paper route and a job in the Gladbrook Mustard Factory. He graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1940 with a love of learning, basketball and boxing. In World War 2 he served in the United States Coast Guard; he was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post that his father started in Gladbrook, Iowa; a Lion: and a member of the Masonic Order, having taken instruction from his father, also a Mason.

James married Kathryn Coughlan of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia on March 26, 1944 in Baltimore, Maryland and was married 60 years.
After the war, Jim brought his new family back to the Midwest where he worked in sales for John Deere, Inland Steele, and finally the US Department of Agriculture.
At 43 he was called to the ministry and moved his family to Iowa. Here, Reverend Engel served two student charges in Waucoma and Calmar, while obtaining his Bachelor”s degree in History (1969 from Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa). He then moved to northern Illinois where he served: two churches in Pearl City and Florence Station while obtaining his Master’s degree in Divinity (1973 from Garrett Theological Seminary, Naperville, Illinois); served as Associate pastor of Court Street United Methodist Church in Rockford, Illinois from 1974 to 1978; and served Lena United Methodist Church from 1978 to 1990 where he retired as Pastor Emeritus. Even in retirement in Minnesota he continued to honor his commitment to a lifetime of service, including churches in Finlayson, Sandstone, Kerrick and Watertown. He was ministering to staff and visitors at Elim Rehab & Nursing Home with his spiritual cards until the week before he passed.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Herbert (Lee) Engel and Mignon Maurine (Fraley) Engel; his wife Kathryn Francis (Coughlan) Engel; and brother-in-law, Roger Goos. Survived by sisters Mary Lee Goos, Suzanne (Lock) Young, and by his brother, Robert Engel (Elizabeth); his children, James Fraley Engel, Jr. and Retha (Laughridge), John Oliver Engel and Kathryn (Silhacek), Kathryn Marie Engel-Terasaki and Don (Terasaki), Kelly Sue Engel James and Raymond (James); his grandchildren, Colby Engel (Brandy), Kimberly Good (Jeff), Evan Burris (Meagan), Forrest Burris (Rebecca), Graham Burris; Tammy (John) Schmitt, Richard (Kelly) Terasaki, 10 great grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Monday, June 23 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Iten Funeral Home in Watertown, Minnesota. Tuesday, June 24 the Celebration of life was held at 10:00am with a visitation followed by a service at 11:00am at Lake Auburn Moravian Church. Lunch fellowship will follow. Interment will be Wednesday, June 25 at 1:00pm at Crystal Cemetery in Gladbrook, Iowa with lunch to follow at the United Methodist Church in Gladbrook. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Gladbrook American Legion Ehrig-McTurk, Iowa Post #0127, 421 Johnson St, Gladbrook, Iowa, 50635.

Special appreciation and thanks to Elim Rehab & Nursing Home, Ridgeview Hospice for their support, sincere attention, and loving care.

Visitation: Monday 6/23/14 @ Iten Funeral Home, Watertown, MN. 6:00 – 8:00pm

Funeral: Tuesday 6/24/14 @ Lake Auburn Moravian Church, visitation 10:00 -11:00 and Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Lunch to follow.

Burial: Wednesday 6/25/14 @ Crystal Cemetery in Gladbrook, Iowa at 1:00pm. Lunch to follow at Methodist Church