Obituary for Joan Marie Engebretson (Erdman)
Joan M. (Erdman) Engebretson, 85; of White Bear Lake
Passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 15, 2019. She is preceded by her loving husband of nearly 30 years, Bruce H. Engebretson, sister Carol, and parents Charles and Margaret (Sonnentag) Erdman. Joan is survived by her son Charles, step sons Dale and Daniel, and step daughters Kathy and Kelly. Joan celebrated at least eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and seemingly endless nieces and nephews. Joan's career rose from part-time clerk and retail, to TV Ad Writer, to Corporate Credit Manager at H.B. Fuller Co. in Arden Hills. Employed there for over 25 years, a crowning achievement was her design and rollout of a global, interconnected, financial system. She celebrated life as a lover, tireless worker, and Christian activist. She welcomed the homeless, exchange students, visiting speakers, and clergy into her home. She enjoyed a good movie, Country Western music, Square and Line Dancing, and prolific reading. Joan volunteered with the SCLC, NAACP, and Father James Groppi, fighting for fair housing, voting rights, and improved education for poor and minority populations. At the Inter American Formation Center in Wausau, WI, she organized events and missions training for PAVLA (Papal Volunteers for Latin America). Private memorial service to be announced.
Passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 15, 2019. She is preceded by her loving husband of nearly 30 years, Bruce H. Engebretson, sister Carol, and parents Charles and Margaret (Sonnentag) Erdman. Joan is survived by her son Charles, step sons Dale and Daniel, and step daughters Kathy and Kelly. Joan celebrated at least eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and seemingly endless nieces and nephews. Joan's career rose from part-time clerk and retail, to TV Ad Writer, to Corporate Credit Manager at H.B. Fuller Co. in Arden Hills. Employed there for over 25 years, a crowning achievement was her design and rollout of a global, interconnected, financial system. She celebrated life as a lover, tireless worker, and Christian activist. She welcomed the homeless, exchange students, visiting speakers, and clergy into her home. She enjoyed a good movie, Country Western music, Square and Line Dancing, and prolific reading. Joan volunteered with the SCLC, NAACP, and Father James Groppi, fighting for fair housing, voting rights, and improved education for poor and minority populations. At the Inter American Formation Center in Wausau, WI, she organized events and missions training for PAVLA (Papal Volunteers for Latin America). Private memorial service to be announced.