Calvin “Cal” Engel July 30, 1939 – January 18, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| View Guest Book Entries| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card In Memory of Calvin “Cal” Engel A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at the Friend United Methodist Church with Pastor Paixao Baptista officiating. Interment will be in Andrew Cemetery with military services conducted by the American Legion. Visitation will be on Tuesday from noon – 8 pm at Lauber Funeral Home, Friend with the family greeting relatives and friends from 5-7 pm and one-hour prior to service at the church.
Memorials have been established and are directed in care of the family. Calvin Leroy “Cal” Engel was born July 30, 1939 in Friend, Nebraska to Carl and Josephine (Svehla) Engel, the oldest of two children, and passed away, Friday, January 18, 2019 at the Premier Estates in Crete at the age of 79 years, 5 months and 19 days. He attended Friend Public School and graduated with the Class of 1957.
Cal furthered his education at the Lincoln School of Commerce, studying accounting alongside the love of his life, Marge Rohrig. Cal and Marge were united in marriage on June 20, 1959 at the United Methodist Church in Friend and they were beginning to prepare for their 60th wedding anniversary this summer. Cal and Marge were blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter.
Cal served in the US Army during the Vietnam War from June 26, 1962 until June 25, 1964 and then continued to serve his country in the US Army Reserves until 1968. Cal was a radio operator and also was a radio instructor. After his discharge, Cal went to work for Wonder Bread Company selling and delivering bread, cupcakes and other products to area businesses.
In 1976, Cal and Marge purchased the Nichols Bar in Friend and renamed it Engel’s Bar, aka Cal and Marge’s, and served the community until they sold the bar in 2000. Cal and Marge were great operators and enjoyed serving the community. Their fish fries and mountain oyster feeds were always well attended and enjoyed by their friends and customers.
After selling the bar, Cal kept busy delivering for Danbred, as well as working for other local businesses. Cal loved to fish, boat, camp and take the kids water skiing. He especially enjoyed the family cabin on the Blue River near Beatrice where he set catfish lines and cherished the time spent with his family.
Sunday morning polka music on the radio was a favorite. He was a member of the Friend United Methodist Church and was a life-time member of the American Legion Post #183, serving as the membership chairman. Cal is survived by his wife, Marge Engel, Friend, son, Randy Engel and Anissa McCullough, both of Bixby, OK, daughter, Jill Sell, Lincoln, grandchildren, Dustin Engel, Dallas, TX, Emily Sell, and Andrew Sell, both of Lincoln, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Georgene and Pete Kalnins, Lincoln, Carol Rohrig, Omaha, Nancy Engel, Lincoln, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Jerry in 1996, and a brother, Rodney. SERVICES Visitation Tuesday, January 22, 2019 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Lauber Funeral Home 814 Maple Street Friend, NE 68359 Get Directions on Google Maps Family will receive relatives and friends from 5-7 pm Tuesday at the funeral home.
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