John James Engel was born in Lemberg, Saskatchewan on August 7, 1936, the youngest child of John and Eva (Riess) Engel.

The family moved to the Zeneta area, north of Esterhazy, when he was one year old. John grew up on the family farm, attending Zeneta School until the 8th grade. He then took up mixed farming with his mother, brother and sisters, raising grain, cattle and all livestock.  He loved farming, at which he was very good.

He belonged to the Zeneta 4-H grain club and as a hobby he enjoyed leather work, making many wallets, purses and belts.  He also did carpentry and electrical work on the farm.

The family moved into Esterhazy in 1981 where he enjoyed gardening and good country music.  Following back surgery, he remained in his home, having difficulty walking, until September 6, 2017 when he was admitted to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Esterhazy.  On September 20, 2017 he was transferred to Langenburg Care Home and passed away on October 11, 2017.

John was predeceased by his parents, John and Eva (Riess) Engel, brother Isadore Engel, sisters Elizabeth (Ralph) Gorski, Eva (Joseph) Matyas, Johanna (Joseph) Mann, Agatha (Oliver) Pask, Katie Engel and Hilda (Arthur) Weese; nieces Irene (Mann) Wiesgerber and Vivian (Mann) Ritmiller; great-nephew Garth Radons and great-great nephew Braden LaBelle.

He is survived by sister Josepha Engel, nephews Patrick (Margaret) Matyas, Lawrence (Delores) Matyas and Oliver (Vonnie) Pask; nieces Florence (Roy) Knourek, Lillian (Robert) Hawcutt, Marie (Larry) Wilde, Genevieve (Kay) Cottrill, Leona Oliver and Nadine (Richard) Getz and numerous great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and many friends.

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