Chris Engebretsen

Chris Engebretsen, age 79, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Thursday, May 4th, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo, ND. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12th, at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with the Rev. Pam Thorson officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Erskine and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Chris was born on May 20, 1943, in Fosston, Minnesota to parents Hans and Irene (Wicken) Engebretsen.  He grew up in Clearbrook, Minnesota and spent a lot of time as a teenager in the summers on the family homestead near Itasca State Park. He graduated from Clearbrook High School in 1961.

He was united in marriage to Joan Larson on January 19, 1963 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clearbrook. After their marriage, they lived in Clearbrook for a year before moving to Hopkins and Coon Rapids, Minnesota.  Chris worked in the cities 12 years where he perfected his welding skills.  They moved to Erskine, Minnesota in 1976, opened Erskine Welding and raised their family.  He retired from Erskine Attachments in 2010.  Chris enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. After retirement, Chris and Joan enjoyed spending the summer months at Morris Point at Lake of the Woods.

Chris passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Essentia Hospital, Fargo, ND at the age of 79 years. 

Survivors include three children: Jeff (Lorie) Engebretsen of Horace, ND, Mike (Lynn) Engebretsen of Erskine, MN, and Joann (Pat) Greendahl of Bemidji, MN; six grandchildren: Katelynn (Dylan) Kutter, Kortney (Brady) Clarke, Hailley Engebretsen, Ryan (Larissa) Greendahl, Alexa Greendahl, and Will Greendahl.  Four great grandchildren: Kroix Kutter, Kallen Kutter, Emma Greendahl, and Odin Greendahl.

Also surviving is one sister, Eileen (Russ) Rhen of Thief River Falls, MN; and sisters-in-law Lois (Ken) Bjerke and Margaret Larson.  Nieces, Nephews, and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan; father and mother-in-law, Vern and Jo (Efraimson) Larson; brothers-in-law Bill Larson and Tom Larson; niece Sharon Bjerke Stoller; and nephew Steve Bjerke.