Engel, Daisy

Daisy Louise Engel of Athens, formerly of Cantrall, went home to be with our Lord, on Friday, February 11, 2011 at the age of 89. She was born on April 6th, 1921, near Petersburg, the daughter of Chester and Fanny Davis Dufer. As a very young girl, Daisy lived on a farm until the age of 5. The hard times of the Depression hit the family, with her folks losing their farm and being forced to move into Petersburg. Daisy attended Harris High School in Petersburg. Daisy grew up with a true work ethic that she carried throughout her life. As a teenager, she worked as a carhop at the Shady Inn, a burger joint that used to stand where the current Dairy Queen in Petersburg now stands. She also worked as a teacher’s assistant at Harris High School. She was an avid seamstress and had visions of going to New York to become a fashion designer.

In the spring of 1942, Daisy met a handsome young farmer from Cantrall by the name of Carl Engel, who became the love of her life.They married on June 30, 1942, and were married over 59 years until his death in 2001. Her life as a farmer’s wife was not an easy one, not only doing difficult physical tasks, but raising children also.

Their firstborn was Carl David (wife Mary) of Huntsville ,Alabama; Susan Louise , who was taken from them by polio in 1947 before turning 2 years old; Sharon Rapp (husband Larry) of Athens, Karla Henning (husband Richard, deceased) of Athens, and Robert (wife Patty, of Williamsville). Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

She is also preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Randy Rapp; five brothers, Donald, Dallas, and David Dufer, Clarence and Cecil Griffin; and two sisters Dorothy Bailey and Juanita Gillmore.

Daisy was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sherman and a past-member of the Ruth Naomi Circle at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Athens.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Sunday, February 13, at Mott & Henning Funeral Home, Athens. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 14 at the funeral home, with burial following at Hall Cemetery in Athens.Rev. James Stuenkel will be officiating.

Memorials can be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sherman or the Joel Hall Cemetery Association.