Obituaries from the week of August 6, 2003

Dave Engerbretson, 67

Funeral services were conducted Monday Aug. 4, 2003 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Moscow, Idaho for David Engerbretson, 67. Dave passed away at his home Wednesday, July 30, 2003. His death was expected after a long and courageous battle against diabetes and heart failure.

Engerbretson was born in Tracy, Minn., on Feb. 18, 1936, to Adolph “Shing” M. and Marcella (Rawlings) Engerbretson. A younger brother, Robert, preceded him in death after being stuck by lightening while hiking in 1972.

Among his accomplishments while a youth was earning the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America, the organization's highest possible advancement.

After high school graduation, Engerbretson attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and General Sciences. From there he enrolled at the University of Illinois earning a Masters of Science degree in Physical Education. He then enrolled in Pennsylvania State University where he went on to earn a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology. He taught anatomy, exercise science, and fly fishing and conducted research in Washington State University's College of Education until his retirement in May 1997.

Engerbretson married JoAnn Hanson in 1960. That marriage ended in divorce in 1979. In 1981, Engerbretson married Shirley Goodsell who survives him at their home after more than 22 years of marriage. Two sons were born from the first marriage and Engerbretson gladly took on the role of stepfather to Shirley's two children from a previous marriage.

Eric Engerbretson, 40, is an accomplished musician and operates a musical ministry and coffee house in Moscow, Idaho, where he lives with his wife Sylvia and sons Ian, James, and Alec. Jeff Engerbretson, 37, lives in Truckee, Calif., with his daughter Amie and is a videographer and owner of a tree damage control company.

Stepchildren Don Griffith, 40, lives in Salt Lake City and Jennifer Vanderbeek, 35, lives in Boise with her two daughters Arwen and Elanor.

Engerbretson was a devout Christian and member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Moscow.

To most, Dave Engerbretson was best known for his love of fly fishing for more than 35 years. Early on, he conducted his own fly fishing school at the K Bar L ranch in Montana. He was a commercial fly tier for the Orvis Company and a licensed fishing guide on such famous waters as the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. In 2002, he was presented with the Charles E. Brooks Memorial Life Award by the Federation of Fly Fishers. In 1986, Engerbretson wrote, Tight Lines, Bright Water, an unusual blend of semi-autobiographical treatise and instructional text on all things related to the art and science of fly fishing. The book went on to become a staple of the genre.

Engerbretson was also a prolific magazine writer, lecturer, photographer, tackle designer, and consultant to many fly fishing manufacturers. He served as Western editor for Fly Fisherman magazine for many years. Until his death he was an editor-at-large to the magazine as well as a contributing editor to the Virtual Fly Shop, Cabela's Guidebooks, and Lefty's World. He was also the host of the popular PBS television series, Fly-tying; The Angler's Art, seen nationwide. At the time of his death he was involved in writing a fly fishing textbook and conducting rod handle size research for the Winton Rod Co.

Engerbretson joined the FFF when it began back in the early 1960s while still a graduate student at Penn. State. He was a certified Master Caster and instructor. Dave was personally responsible for teaching thousands of students and citizens, especially in Idaho, to fly fish over the years.

The family suggests any memorial gifts be sent to the CCM Redhawk Ministries, 516 S. Main St., Moscow, Idaho, 83843; The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1833, Merrifield, VA 22116 or the Emmanuel Lutheran Church music ministry in Moscow.

Helena Nelson, 86

Helena Nelson age 86 of Tracy, MN died Tuesday, August 5, 2003 at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2003 at the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy.

Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 7 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.

Following a luncheon, interment will take place at the Gales Cemetery in Gales Township, rural Walnut Grove, MN.

The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.