Duane Engelsgaard

Duane Engelsgaard was born in Arlington, South Dakota, February 6, 1937, to Erik and Julia Engelsgaard. And passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020, at home with his wife and family. Duane attended grade school near Sinai & graduated from Sinai High School in 1955. He attended Trade School in Minneapolis, MN., completing a 2 yr course in radio & tv electronics.  He then worked as Asst. Engineer at KSDN radio station in Aberdeen, SD. Duane joined the U.S. Navy in March 1959 & served honorably until his discharge in February 1963.  He worked as a test equipment coordinator for Boeing on the Minute Man missile sites at Union Center, SD.  In November of 1963 he began his long career with AT&T in Rawlins, WY as a transmission repairman while also working part time at a radio shop.  He married Rosalie Pierce on August 1st, 1965, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Casper, Wyoming. They honeymooned on the road as they drove to central California to start their new life together.

Duane enjoyed travel & involved the whole family in his sense of adventure. Wanting to see even more of the world, he accepted a transfer with AT&T to the island of Guam in 1970 where he collaborated with the Australian Cable Company to maintain undersea telephone cables. Duane obtained his Bachelor Degrees in Accounting and Business from the University of Guam, graduating Magna Cum Lade.  The family returned stateside to Northern California in June 1975 in Rohnert Park where Duane joined the ranks of AT&T management. Accepting more responsibility & growth, Duane moved the family in June 1981 to Sacramento,settling in Citrus Heights, to continue his career with AT&T, even commuting to Pleasanton in 1988.  He ultimately accepted an early retirement option in December 1989.  After some part-time work in KMart electronics in 1993, Duane excelled in his position with The Home Depot in 1994 and enjoyed the “DIY” culture more than anyone, eventually retiring for good in 2002.  Duane & his wife Rosie took the next decade enjoying travels across the United States, to Norway, Russia, Finland, Australia & New Zealand. 

Duane enjoyed camping, sports & loved watching the Sacramento Kings & San Francisco 49ers play.  He was committed to a life of Christian service, holding office of congregational president for a few terms at Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Citrus Heights, CA and found his true calling in the “Build Unto The Lord” program, working tirelessly to renovate existing and build new structures for worship.  In August 2001 Duane was blessed with a kidney donation that allowed his life of service to continue.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Erik and Julia; youngest brother, Glen, and oldest sister, Mildred.  He is survived by his loving wife, Rosie; six grateful children, Cynthia, Lois, Patricia, Julie, Erik & Roger; numerous grandchildren & great-grandchildren; oldest brother Arley of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; two sisters, Lorraine of Santa Paula, CA and Evelith Kuecker of Kearney, Nebraska; one sister-in-law, Charlene of Visalia, CA; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

A visitation will be held from 9:30am to 10:30am on Monday, December 7, 2020 at Price Funeral Chapel. A private graveside service will be the same day at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.

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