Ward Randolph Engebrit

Ward Engebrit, age 82 of Crosby, formerly of Hopkins died on September 22, 2022 at his home.  He was born on November 21, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Wallace and Dorothy (Dropik) Engebrit.  Ward was the eldest of three sons, Wayne Engebrit of Florida and Ralph Engebrit (Sue) of Carver, Minnesota, are still living.  Ward was baptized on March 17, 1940 at Zion Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis.  Ward was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Glen Lake, Minnesota.

In 1957 Ward enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to San Diego for training.  He served as an engineman on the submarine tender, the USS SPERRY, moored in the San Diego harbor.  While in the Navy, Ward married Mary Geris.   They had four children together, Shawn Engebrit of Hopkins, MN, Scott Engebrit (Vivian) of Austin, TX, Lisa Lindstrom (deceased) and Dawn Engebrit (deceased at birth).  They later divorced.

On December 11, 1982, Ward married Carol Lau Bartels of Fairview Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN. Ward and Carol both grew up in Minnetonka but had lost touch for 25 years.  They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1986.

Ward spent his entire career as a tool-making machinist.  For several years he ran his own machine shop in Edina, MN.  When Ward and Carol moved to Albuquerque NM, Ward obtained his DOE clearance to run the machine facility for Sandia Labs on the US Kirkland Air Force base.  Ward retired in 1999 after developing neuropathy in both legs.

Ward and Carol moved back to Minnesota in 2005 and built a home on Rabbit Lake in Crosby, MN.  They made Zion Lutheran of Crosby their church home and enjoyed singing in the choir.  Ward was very close to Carol’s children: Charles Bartels (Jaclyn), Pamela Bartels Gleason (Edward), and Steve Bartels (Diane).  Ward had 2 grandchildren, Elora Engebirt (father, Scott), and Jazlyn Fox (father, Shawn).  Through Carol’s children, he also had many grandchildren: Bo Gleason (Sara), Dena Johnson (Dane), Beca Ellingson (Nicholas), Nash Gleason (Jessyca), Max Gleason (Emily), Tara Gleason, Sarah Summers (Ben), Nicole Bartels (Will), and Corey Bartels; and several great grandchildren: Myra Chamberlain, Pierce Chamberlain, Eleanor Chamberlain, Ameilia Kantor, Lucas Gleason, Sophia Gleason, Skylar Gleason and Aden Johnson.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Crosby with military honors by the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443, Ironton.  A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.