Obituary of Albert Engel

(Albert) Larry Engel went to Heaven on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

A service will be held on Saturday, July 20th, at 11 am with visitation from 9 am - 11 am prior to the service, all to be held at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls.

Larry was born on January 6, 1938, to the late Albert and Verna (Burke) Engel in Hillsboro, ND. Named after his father, his mother said there would be no “Junior” in the family, so he was always “Larry”. He started first grade at the age of five years old in a country school just East of Hillsboro. The school closed after the fourth grade, and he went to school in town. Larry lettered in football, basketball, track, and baseball in high school. Football was his favorite sport and he played quarterback. The team did not allow a single score throughout his senior year. Additionally, the track team won the state meet that year.

Larry attended Mayville State Teachers College and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education and Physical Education. He served as quarterback and co-captain during his senior year for the Comets football team. He met his wife-to- be, Naomi Larsen, at Herb Johnson’s barn dance in the Spring of 1956 and he married her (the Comet’s Homecoming Queen) on August 16, 1959. They both taught school in Lehr, ND for two years and Larry continued teaching in Hendricks, Red Lake Falls, and in Little Falls from 1970 to 1993.

Larry was the Flyer’s boys golf coach for 27 years, inducted in the MN State Golf Coach Hall of Fame, and was Regional Coach of the Year three times. He served on the Minnesota High School League golf coach board for three years and president one year. Larry was active in the Minnesota Business Education Teachers Organization and president one year. He was also an active member of First Lutheran Church, serving on the council three occasions including one year as president. He was an usher, read scripture, sang in the choir, and served Easter breakfast for 25 years. Larry enjoyed hunting avidly, was a dedicated golfer (practicing as much as he played), and enjoyed fishing part-time. He was the Little Falls Golf Course senior champion several times and shot a hole-in-one eight times. He refereed high school basketball for 30 years, working many regional games and one state consolation game.

Larry and his sons ran a construction business during the summer months. Together with Naomi, they built or remodeled eight homes in Little Falls. Their last project was located on the golf course next to "his" practice green. Larry’s wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the most important part of his life.

Larry is survived by his children, Lola (Jack) Engel-Faufau, Stephen (Kristan) Engel, Daniel Engel, and Gwen (Matt) Welinski; grandchildren Katie (Nick) Wippler, Luke (Asha) Faufau, Marre, Lindy, and Joey Welinski, Samuel, David, and Elizabeth Engel; great grandchildren Lydia, Norah, and Benjamin Wippler, and Winnie Faufau; brother Dale (Melva) Engel, brother-in-law John Larsen, sister-inlaws Fern Smith and Charlotte Engel, and special friend Marilyn Boeddeker. Larry’s nieces and nephews were very important to him and he sent birthday cards each year.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Naomi, brother Ralph Engel, sisters Marion Lechner and Verona Semrad, and great granddaughter Claire Naomi Wippler. Larry was cared for during the past several months by the wonderful home care and hospice staff at Horizon Health, Inc.