Kathleen A. “Kathy” Engelken, 77, of New Vienna, Iowa passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025 at Accura Healthcare IN Cascade, Iowa.
Friends and relatives of Kathleen may call from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Kathleen at 11:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna, Iowa with Rev. David Schatz Presiding. Burial will be held in St. Boniface Cemetery in New Vienna, Iowa.
She was born January 31, 1948 in Dubuque Iowa, daughter of Clarence and Eileen (Wessels) Engelken. She was the oldest of their five children. She took her role as oldest to heart and would take care of all of us. She is a graduate of the last class to graduate from St. Boniface High School in New Vienna. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa and was an English teacher. She lived in many places while a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. She later received her Master’s degree at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. She went on to be a youth minister and a Dean of Students at several Illinois Universities. She served on many Board of Directors for nonprofits over the years, including New Vienna’s Heritage House Museum and Trees Forever. As Executive Director, she brought Illinois Campus Compact to over 30 colleges, writing several grants and providing the opportunity for students to be involved in civic engagement.
She is survived by three siblings, Karen (David) Weber of Fort Worth, TX, Steve Engelken of New Vienna, IA and Karla (Nick) Manternach of Cascade, IA; a sister-in-law, Bev Engelken of New Vienna, IA; and eight nieces and nephews, Rebecca (Brian) Clements, Brian Weber, Brad (April) Weber, Kevin (Jenny) Engelken, Kristie (Travis) Thier, Kim Tucker, Erica (Steve) Pickrell, and Jaclyn (Nick) Wedeking.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Robert C. “Bob” Engelken on May 29, 2020.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhmeinc.com
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