Leola Nelson (Lee) Engstrand

Leola (Lee) Nelson Engstrand, age 82, passed away peacefully in Minneapolis at her daughter's home on Friday, October 25, 2002, surrounded by family and friends. Lee was the center of her family and she will be remembered for her loyalty, grace, wisdom, humor and compassion and her devotion to her 3 children, her 3 grandchildren and her husband. She was an avid gardener, an eager political campaigner, a fantastic cook and collector of antiques and lifetime member of the Gull Lake Yacht Club. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ralph, her daughter Charleen Bacigalupo, sons Mark Engstrand, Michael Engstrand, granddaughters Monica Anderson, Megan Bacigalupo and Andrea O'Leary, and Great Granddaughter, Savannah Lee O'Leary. Born May 28, 1920 in Smith Lake MN, near Cokato, where she was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Upon her mother's death at age 8, she moved to Minneapolis to live with her uncle Henry and Alice Parin. She married Ralph and lived in St. Louis Park and moved to Gull Lake where she lived 48 years, spending winters in Pompano Beach, FL. She is survived by sister, Ardiana Ross of Cokato, nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents Ole and Clara (Parin) Nelson, uncles Henry, Edmund, William, and Edward, sister Genevieve Ecker, sister and brother-in-law Addie and Stanley Johnson, brothers Alfred and Nuella Strandberg and Bertrand Strandberg. Reviewal and visitation will be Tuesday, Oct 29, 4 to 8 PM at Washburn McReavy, Edina Chapel, W. 50th & Hwy 100 at Vernon Ave, Edina, Tributes & Program at 7 PM. Services are at 12 noon, Wednesday, October 30, Lakewood Chapel, 36th St. & Hennepin Av, Mpls. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on October 28, 2002