Bernard Engelkes

Bernard M. Engelkes, 88, of Grundy Center, Iowa, died Monday, May 29, 2006, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M., Friday, June 2, 2006, at Pleasant Valley Reformed Church, near Fern, Iowa, with Pastor Russell Muillenburg officiating. Burial will follow at the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, June 1, 2006, from

5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center, Iowa, with the family present to greet friends. Memorials may be directed to Pleasant Valley Reformed Church or to the Grundy Care Center.

Bernard was born October 28, 1917, in Pleasant Valley Township, rural Fern, Iowa, the son of E.B. and Bertha (Huting) Engelkes. Bernard was educated in country school near Fern and also attended Parkersburg High School. On May 23, 1940, Bernard was united in marriage to Leona Sherman at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. After their marriage, Bernard and Leona lived in Fern until 1942. While in Fern, Bernard worked for the Fern General Store. In 1942, they moved to a farm in Colfax Township, Grundy County, Iowa. Bernard farmed until 1974. In 1982, they moved to Grundy Center. Bernard also drove a school bus for the Wellsburg School District for fifteen years.

He was an active lifelong member of Pleasant Valley Reformed Church, serving as an Elder, Deacon, and Trustee, many times throughout the years. Bernard also enjoyed traveling. His family and his church were his life.

He is survived by his wife Leona Engelkes of Grundy Center, Iowa; one son Dr. James R. Engelkes and his wife Marcia of East Lansing, Michigan; two grandchildren Traci (Engelkes) Guerre and her husband Paul of Ada, Michigan; Ross Engelkes and his wife Barb of Rockford, Michigan; four great-grandchildren Nick and Tessa Faith Guerre; and Lauren and Jake Engelkes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Faith Engelkes; and one sister Elva Akkerman.