Evelyn Engeseth

MADISON-Evelyn F. Engeseth, age 93, died on Saturday, April 13, 2013. She was born on Feb. 14, 1920, in Leeds, to the late William and Clara (Wendt) Manke. She grew up on a farm in Leeds. Evelyn attended Leeds Center Grade School and graduated from Deforest High School in 1938, where she played drums in the high school band, pitched softball and sang in the choir. Evelyn married Sanford Engeseth on Feb. 15, 1947. They liked to farm and the first farm was an old stage coach stop by Cross Plains. They also farmed in the Deforest and Madison area. Evelyn also waitressed at several restaurants, Felly’s on Park Street, Lorraine Hotel, DeSolvo’s, Edgewater and Simon House. She worked for the State of Wisconsin for 22 years, at the Children’s Treatment Center, and later at Mendota State Hospital, from where she retired. After retirement, Sanford and Evelyn grew vegetable gardens and sold them to restaurants and at the Farmer’s Market at Hilldale. They grew 4000 tomato plants, earning Evelyn the nickname “Tomato Lady”, eggplants, zucchinis, and some sweet corn. Evelyn and Sanford loved playing cards, gambling, bowling, golfing and traveling south in the winter. Evelyn is survived by her children, Donald (Joan) Kelleher, Sanford Jr., Scott (friend, Leslie), Susan Davis; and step-son, Elmer Engeseth; grandchildren, Steve (Kathy) McCosky, Don (Debbie) McCosky, Dan McCosky, Michael and Tanya Kelleher, Deb (John) Leung, Kim Virovatz, Alyssa and Jaerett Engeseth, Angela Becker, Michael Washa; and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sanford; daughter, Janet (Mickey) McCosky; sister, Verna (Roy) Hackbart; three brothers, Adolf (Ruth) Manke, David (Ione) Manke and Walter (Jean) Manke. Funeral services will be held at LAKEVIEW LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4001 Mandrake Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2013, with the Rev. Larry Pinnow presiding. Burial will be at Norway Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lakeview Lutheran Church. The family would like to express a special thanks to all at Oak Park Place for their warm and sincere care of Evelyn, and also to Agrace HospiceCare, and her Doctor of many years, Dr. Robert Alt of Dean Medical Center. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com “We lost our very special Valentine.” In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lake View Lutheran Church. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Thursday. Funeral services will be held at LAKEVIEW LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4001 Mandrake Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Burial will be at Norway Grove Cemetery.