Margaret Elizabeth (Wheeler) Engles

Margaret (Marge) E. Engles, age 93, of Auburn, NE, passed away Saturday December 13, 2014 at her home. A funeral mass for Marge Engles will be held Tuesday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn. Burial will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery south of Auburn.

A vigil and rosary will be given Monday, December 15, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with family greeting friends after at the Halligan Center.

Obit:

Margaret Elizabeth (Wheeler) Engles

Margaret Elizabeth (Wheeler) Engles was born October 16, 1921, to Bartlett and Anna (Gritz) Wheeler on the family farm 5 miles south and ¾ mile west of Auburn, Nebraska. She attended Rosemont School District #40 and graduated from Auburn High School in 1938. She then attended Peru State College to attain her teaching certificate. She taught at North Star School in Richardson County and Rosemont and Bedford School in Nemaha County.

On May 8, 1943, she married Frank Engles in Starkville, Mississippi, where Frank was stationed while attending Officer Candidate School. While Frank was serving during WWII in the European Theater, Marge taught at Muddy School District 41.

Four children, were born to this marriage: Ann, Bert, Bob and Pat. While raising her family Marge took a leave of teaching but continued to maintain her role as bookkeeper of the family business, Engles Oil Co.

As the children, grew, Marge once again returned to the classroom. Marge had a great love and passion for teaching children in one-room schools. She finished her teaching career at Cochran and Linden school districts.

Marge lived most of her adult life in the Engles’ family home until moving across the street into a smaller house. Marge was a noted story teller of the place and times in which she lived. Dozens of people would seek her out to clarify or verify facts of the area. Ten years ago, Marge compiled her memories in book form, which family members cherish.

Marge was past President of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Nemaha Co. Extension Clubs, Daughters of the American Revolution, and St. Joseph’s Tabernacle Society. She held offices in the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and was a member of St. Ann’s Prayer Group.

Marge’s Catholic faith was the foundation upon which she lived her life. Whenever she was able to, she attended daily Mass. Once a friend asked her why she went to Mass every day. Her response, “Because I get to witness a miracle every time I attend Mass.” Marge never minded waiting for an appointment because she always carried her rosary. Most people knew if Marge said she would pray for them, she really did pray for them.

In her later years Marge was afflicted with severe Macular Degeneration which prohibited her from driving a car. She didn’t let that stop her from maintaining an active lifestyle as she walked almost daily to either business district pulling a cart to carry her purchases. She was most grateful to her many friends who gave her rides to her meetings and events.

Marge was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Frank, her brothers, Ivan and wife Ada, Archie and wife Catherine, Verne and wife Faye, and her sister Helen and husband Church. She is survived by daughter Ann of Chicago, sons Bert (Virginia) of Omaha, Bob (Wendy) of Auburn, Patrick (Jeanne) of Auburn, nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Marge was very fond of her nieces and nephews.

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Hall Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements for Marge E. Engles

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