Kenneth Engler

Kenneth J. Engler, 81, of Annandale, Minn., died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Kenneth James Engler was born Dec. 14, 1935, to George and Eleanor (Rose) Engler, on the family farm near Gilmanton, Wis. He attended Gilmanton schools, graduating with the Gilmanton High School Class of 1953. On Aug. 24, 1963, Ken was united in marriage to Dianne Jones, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church, in Sparta. Ken honorably served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956-1958. He was proud to have played his trumpet in the Marine Corp. Band. Ken worked in Sparta at the Hiawatha Valley Dairies and for Plastronic Packaging, as the plant superintendent. In 1975, Ken and Dianne moved their family to Annandale, when he began working for T & O Plastics. After 15 years at T & O Plastics, he worked for Innocast Corp., until his retirement in 2002. Ken was an active member of the Annandale United Methodist Church, and served as chairman of the building committee, when the fellowship space was added. He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge in Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Sparta, the NRA, and the Minn. Sheriff’s Association. In his spare time, Ken enjoyed fishing and hunting. He will always be remembered for his jovial nature; he always had a joke for everyone.
Ken will be dearly missed by his wife of nearly 54 years, Dianne of Annandale; children and their spouses, Eric and Becky of New York Mills, and Sheri and Trent Greener of Albertville; sister, Joyce Engler of Mondovi, Wis.; sister-in-law, Harriett Engler of Buffalo City, Wis.; special friend, Byron Holz, who Ken thought of as a son; three grand dogs; several nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dean.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Annandale United Methodist Church with Rev. Mary Keen officiating. Burial was held at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Sparta, Wis.
Al Mattila, Mike Janski, Stan Jones, Norm Williams, Dave Kemp and Byron Holz served as urn bearers. The Eulogists were Kenneth Schulte and Byron Holz.
Arrangements were entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, guest book, video tribute and funeral webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.