Chellis Engstrom

Chellis "Kelly" G. Engstrom, 102, of Nisswa, died Wednesday, December 05, 2012 at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Funeral Services for Kelly will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes. Family and friends are invited to gather from 5-7 PM on Friday evening at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in BAXTER and one hour prior to services at the church in Pequot Lakes. Interment will take place at the Mound Union Cemetery in Mound at 3:00 PM, Saturday, December 8, 2012.

Kelly was born March 20, 1910 at LeRoy, MN, the son of August P. and Ruth Edna (Preston) Engstrom. After graduating from LeRoy High School, Kelly started his 34 year career as a Railway Mail Clerk for the United States Postal Service. He retired in 1970. Kelly was a current member and past-president of the local NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees) and a past member of the Florida Audubon Society. He was also an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church where he initiated a scholarship - The Carol A. Engstrom Scholarship Fund, to encourage others to further their education, especially future educators.

Kelly enjoyed traveling; he took many overseas trips to visit historical and natural locations. He also liked to read and bird-watch. Kelly was always willing to lend a hand and enjoyed it - even if it meant clipping tree branches or digging for potatoes.

He will be missed by his daughter, Anita (Blair) Sears; sister, Marjorie Conrad, of OR; sisters-in-law, Florence, of TX and Margaret, of IA; "adopted" daughter, Hanne Juhl; and many nieces, nephews and special friends. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol; parents, Ruth Edna and August Peter Engstrom; sisters, Ruth and Dorris; and brothers, Dana, Verne, and Eugene.

A special thanks to the staff at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center and Kelly's home care angels, Jasmine and Bonnie.