Calvin "Cal" Engels

Calvin “Cal” Engels, aged 71, passed away on January 27, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. We invite you to dress casually in racing attire and blue jeans, the way Cal liked it. A private interment will take place later at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. It was Calvin’s wish not to have a formal service.

He was born on July 19, 1953, to Theodore Jr. and Viola (Herding) Engels in Watertown, SD. He attended Watertown High School where he met his wife of 52 years, Patti (Ward) Engels. They were married on August 28, 1972, at First United Methodist Church in Watertown.

Within this union brought three daughters, Tonia, Rachel, and Jessica. They later welcomed six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Calvin enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, working on his cars, fishing, hunting, and going to the race track. He was nick named “Vinnie” by family and loved beyond measure.

Calvin worked at the Codington County Highway Department for 32 years before retiring in 2020. He also worked at Sturdevant’s Auto Parts for over 25 years.

Calvin is lovingly remembered by his wife Patti; children, Tonia Seidell (Travis Riter) of Hayti, SD; Rachel (Steve) Swenson of Brownsburg, IN; and Jessica Engels of Brownsburg, IN. He will be remembered fondly by his Grandchildren, Dominick (Kasie), Destiny (Mark), Hannah, Sydney, Danicka, and Molly; and Great-Grandchildren Laina, Harvey, Scarlette, Axel, Beckette, and Emma.

Calvin is also survived by four brothers, James Engels, Watertown, SD, Chuck Engels, Watertown, SD, Darwin (Brenda) Engels, Watertown, SD, Kelly Engels, Watertown, SD; four sisters, Donna (Allan Bertsch) Trautner, Watertown, SD, Janet (Ron) Collins, Revillo, SD, Marjorie (Scott) Schamens, Watertown, SD, Judith (Dave) Swanson, Watertown, SD; sister-in-law, Linda (Greg) Heyn, Sanborn, IA; brothers-in-law, Randy (Cindy) Ward, Watertown, SD, Rick (Lynette) Ward, Watertown, SD, Rocky (Shawn) Ward, Watertown, SD, Pete Dehn, Hutchinson, MN; along with several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Jr. and Viola Engels, one brother, Ronald Engels, two sisters, Betty Audus, and Shirley Kinyon, in-law, Robert and Delores Ward, one son in law, Harvey Seidell, one grandson, Coy, sisters in laws, Vicky Engels, Alice Engels, Tammie Dehn, brothers in law, Terry Urdahl, Jim Trautner and Darwin Audus.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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