Carol J. Engel

Carol J. (Bjorklund) Engel, 61, of Great Falls, a pastor’s wife and Wells Fargo central vault teller, died Wednesday, July 3, 2013 after a valiant battle with cancer at Peace Hospice. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Harvest Springs Community Church. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Carol was born December 15, 1951 to Leroy and Lorene Bjorklund in Spalding, NE. She grew up on a farm outside Greeley, NE where she learned the workings of the farm, driving tractors, and other chores needed to make the farm life a living life. She attended school and graduated from the Greeley school system. In the early 1970’s she moved to Palmer Lake, CO where she worked as a waitress and a floral designer. In April of 1974 Carol met her husband, Dwight Engel. They married November 4, 1974 in Palmer Lake. They moved from there to Billings where Dwight worked for Mountain Bell. In 1982, being called into the ministry, Carol and Dwight moved to Oskaloosa, IA where Dwight would pursue a degree in Pastoral Ministry. During the time of her husband’s study, Carol would work as a cook in the school’s cafeteria where she was known as “Momma Carol.” She also worked as a desk clerk at a local Super 8, all the while raising two children and taking care of her home. In 1987, after moving to Salem ,IA, she applied her talents in the church and continued to work to help support her family. In 1990 they moved back to Montana where she worked as a bank teller in Harlem, and Dwight was the pastor of Harlem Evangelical Church. In July of 1994 they moved to Great Falls where she worked at the Fairfield Inn and then Wells Fargo Bank, while Dwight took up the ministry at the Great Falls Evangelical Church, now known as Harvest Springs Community Church. Carol was involved in gardening, canning, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, cooking, and anything crafty, all the while taking care of her family. She was a master in the kitchen, a seamstress in her workroom, an engineer in abstract vision for both indoor and outdoor projects, and she loved her church. She was an avid reader, a student of the Bible, and involved in Bible studies both in women’s groups and mixed groups. As a mother, she loved her children and encouraged them in making their way in life. She was a friend to almost everyone she met and was loved by many. Carol is survived by her husband of 38 years, Dwight Engel; son Cory (Tosha) Engel; daughter Stacy (Bob) Reiman, all of Great Falls; eight grandchildren Dawson, Logan, Kaleb, Grace, Emily, Peyton, Avery, and Ellison; sister Judy (Len) Marco of Central City, NE; brother Dennis (Ann) Bjorklund of Greeley, NE; and beloved nieces, nephews, church family, and many friends. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Harvest Springs Community Church, 1001 36th AVE NE, Great Falls, MT 59404.