Gerald Engelby

Gerald Luverne Engelby, age 89, of Winnebago, died Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at First United Methodist Church in Winnebago with Rev. Durene Cornell & Rev. Don Bird officiating. Burial will follow in Rosehill Cemetery in Winnebago. Visitation will from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Friday at Spencer-Owen Funeral Home in Winnebago and one hour prior to services at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.spencerowen.com. Gerald was born in Bode, Iowa on April 22, 1925 the son of Orvin and Ohma (Johnson) Engelby. He moved, with his family, to Frost, MN in 1927 where he attended school. Gerald enlisted in the Marine Corps during WW II where he served in the Pacific Campaign and became an excellent marksman, earning several medals for his marksmanship, before his discharge in October 1946. He was married to Mary Morgan on June 20, 1948. The couple moved to Winnebago in 1959 where Gerald pursued the passion of his life, farming. He continued to farm the same farm until he was 85 years old. Gerald was also a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Winnebago and was a director on the Winnebago Farmers Elevator Board for many years and was chairman for three years. He served on the Faribault County ASCS Committee and was a lifelong member of the VFW and American Legion. Gerald enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling but his main hobby was farming. He is survived by his wife, Mary of 65 years, son Gary (Linda) Engelby, grandchildren, Jason (Melissa) & Britny, great grandchildren: Drake, Talin & Jake Ryan, two brothers, Paul and Gene and a sister, Ruth. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters.