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Memorial Service Monday for Rhoda Engebretson

CHICAGO, IL (September 29, 2005) - A memorial service will be conducted on Monday for Mrs. Rhoda Engebretson, 89, wife of the late Dr. Milton B. Engebretson, former president of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Mrs. Engebretson died early this morning (Thursday) at Brandel Care Center at Covenant Village of Northbrook where she was residing.

The service will take place at 2 p.m. in Northbrook Covenant Church, 2737 Techny Road in Northbrook, with pastor Rob Peterson officiating. ECC President Glenn R. Palmberg will share a tribute to Mrs. Engebretson during the service.

"Rhoda Engebretson was a kind, quiet woman who gave caring attention to the people around her, both family and friends," Palmberg said. "For years she carried graciously the demands on Milt's life that took so much of his time. Her own profound commitment to Christ inspired all who knew her. She gave much to the life and mission of the Covenant Church, and I count it a privilege to have known her as a friend."

Described by friends as classy, gracious, intelligent, and somewhat shy, she was born June 13, 1916, in Tioga, North Dakota, the daughter of Esther and Frank Hollenbeck. She grew up in Minneapolis, attending First Covenant Church. Following high school, she moved to Seattle with a friend where she secured a summer job working for Boeing Corporation. She lived with a family who attended a Lutheran Brethren church. It was there that she met Milton, who was a student at Seattle Pacific University. She also attended Seattle Pacific and business school. During WW II, Milton served in the U.S. Air Force for three years while Rhoda moved back to Minneapolis.

Upon his return from the war, Milton and Rhoda were married December 12, 1945, and lived in Washington where Milton attended the University of Washington, studying to be a teacher. It was while there that Rhoda introduced Milton to the Evangelical Covenant Church. Following graduation, he felt a call to ministry and with her encouragement eventually attended North Park Theological Seminary. The couple subsequently served Covenant congregations in Stotler, Kansas; Mankato, Minnesota; Minneapolis (Elim), and returned in Chicago in 1962 when he was elected secretary of the Covenant. He was elected president in 1967 and served until 1986.

Rhoda was an avid reader, a gracious host and an accomplished cook who entertained frequently. She loved to run and play golf and was an artist whose accomplishments included rosemaling, needlepoint, and petit point. She also loved to spend time at their home on Hagerman Lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The couple moved to Covenant Village of Northbrook in April 1987. Milton died in December 1996.

"Dad was overwhelmed by God's grace that he should be found by a life mate like Rhoda," Donn was quoted as saying in a February 1997 article in The Covenant Companion focusing on his father's life and ministry. "I once overheard him talking to a pastor who was worried about finding a wife. Dad told him not to be concerned because, he said, 'wives fall straight out of the sky, from heaven.' My father never doubted that it was from heaven that my mother came. He never got over the fact that he was allowed to spend his days with one so beautiful, lovely, gracious, and intelligent as my mom. Never were a man and woman more in love, more deeply committed to each other, and had so much fun."

Survivors include son Jon and his wife, Roslyn, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and son Donn and his wife, Sally, of Deerfield, Illinois, and their families, including four grandchildren. Donn Engebretson serves as executive vice president of the Covenant.

Those desiring to send messages of condolence to the family may do so by email to donn.engebretson@covchurch.org or by regular mail to Donn Engebretson, Evangelical Covenant Church, 5101 N. Francisco Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to the Milton B. Engebretson Scholarship Fund at North Park Theological Seminary, 3225 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625.

(Editor's note: to read a touching tribute to the life of Rhoda Engebretson, please see Rhoda Engebretson.

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