Donald Engstrom

Graveside services for Donald Dean Engstrom, originally of Andover, South Dakota and recently of El Cajon California, will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 28tt in the Andover City Cemetery. Rev. Lloyd Redhage will officiate.

Donald died September 8, 2012 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in La Jolla, California. Born June 20, 1927 to Walter and Clara (nee Anderson) Engstrom, Donald happily remembered the close knit communities of South Dakota where he was raised with his brother Alvin amongst loving family and the kindness of friends and neighbors.

Like most young men of his generation, Donald joined the service after high school, spending two years in the US Navy as a photographer's mate third class during WWII. He later attended the University of South Dakota, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, the US Naval Dental Technicians School, and ultimately received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois in 1957.

Licensed to practice dentistry in the States of South Dakota, Missouri and California, Dr Engstrom had successful dental and oral surgery practices. His proudest achievement was raising his children with his former wife, Susie (Saputo) Engstrom in the communities of St. Louis, Fresno and Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Donald had a keen mind and told wonderful stories - complete with names and dates many would have long forgotten! He was devoted to his family and friends and to his Lord and Savior. A faithful member of the Lutheran Church and, more recently, of Dr David Jeremiah of the Shadow Mountain Church Community Church, Donald believes in the resurrection and the blessed day when he shall enter the kingdom of heaven.

Donald is survived by his daughters Suzanne Engstrom-Ortiz (Richard) of San Pedro CA, Elizabeth Engstrom of Lomita, CA, son John Engstrom (Lydia) of La Jolla, CA and grandsons Marcus and Grant Ortiz.

"I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my heart and in my words for all the wondrous things He has done. Amen and Hallelujah!"

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