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Marian L. Engstrom

Marian L. Engstrom, 90, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at her home in Woodstock surrounded by her family. 

She was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Rapid City, S.D.

On Nov. 15, 1945, she married Howard J. Engstrom in her hometown. 

Over the years, she and Howard traveled to 50 states and 13 countries. Along with  traveling, Marian enjoyed reading, writing poetry, studying genealogy, taking nature walks, gardening, interior decorating, picking berries and sitting in the sun. She was an active member in her community as a hospice volunteer, putting on charity vintage fashion shows, assisting at the Woodstock Opera House and helping out at the PADS homeless shelter. Her entrepreneurial spirit sparked two catering businesses and an antique shop. A lifelong learner, she took classes at McHenry Community College in her senior years. Active in the Evangelical Free Church all her life, Marian taught Sunday school and led women’s Bible study groups. Her caring heart, passion for social justice and desire to follow Christ’s teachings led her to reach out to people in need.   

Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Janice (Jonathan) Cornforth, Kirkland,  Wash., and Sherryl (Ken) Somerville, Lake Geneva, Wis.; a daughter-in-law, Alma Huete, Crystal Lake; a brother, Donald Holsten; two sisters, Helen Nordenson and Doris Hovland; and five grandchildren, Lauren, Anthony, Aaron, Luke and Tabitha.

She was preceded in death by a son, Mark. 

Visitation and funeral  were held at Evangelical Free Church, Crystal Lake. Burial was private at Oakland Cemetery, Woodstock.  

Donations are requested to the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake, 575 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014, (for world missions) or to JourneyCare Hospice, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL  60010. Arrangements were made by Honquest Family Funeral Home.

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