Funeral services for Pearl D. Engels, age 74, of Watertown, SD, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 4, 2011, at the Watertown Wesleyan Church in Watertown.  Pastor Jim Biswell and Pastor Dennis Wright will officiate.  Music will be provided by Peggy Biswell as organist with Judy Everson and Jim and Peggy Biswell as vocalists.  Pearl passed away on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, surrounded by loved ones at her residence.  She was the widow of Milton “Pete” Engels.

     Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  Honorary pallbearers will be Pearl’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Active pallbearers will be Kari Stein, Jason Bublitz, Ryan Engels, Jason Drake, Derek Luken, and Eddie Wright.

     Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Monday.  The family is requested to meet at the church on Monday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service.

     Pearl was born on April 13, 1936, at Watertown, SD, to Edward and Margaret (Hemp) Wright.  She was raised on the family farm south of Watertown.  Pearl attended Castlewood Rural School #3 and graduated from Watertown High School in 1954.

     On June 5, 1955, Pearl married Milton “Pete” Engels at the Wesleyan Church in Watertown, SD.  Pearl and Pete started their married life on a farm near Pelican Township.  In 1964, they moved to a farm north of Castlewood.  Through the years, Pearl was employed at Harry’s Dairy while also helping out on the farm.  In July of 1972, she began employment at Minnesota Rubber.  They moved to Watertown in 1977 where she resided until the present day.  Pearl held various positions at Minnesota Rubber including shipping and production planning positions until her retirement in 2003.  She was a valuable team member and was recognized for her outstanding internal and external customer service.  She will be missed by her many friends at Minnesota Rubber who continued to be a part of her life after her retirement.

     Pearl gave countless hours of love and support to her children, grandchildren, and their friends as she visited ball diamonds, hockey arenas, drag racing events, Tae Kwan Do, cheerleading, and other sporting venues.  Her voice was often the loudest and her support the greatest.  She became a sports fan out of love for her family.  Her voice and support will be missed.  Her greatest joy and gift was the time she spent with her many family members and friends.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren especially enjoyed Pearl’s endless love.  Pearl was also a longtime member and supporter of the Wesleyan Church.

     In addition, she also enjoyed traveling.  She traveled often to Arizona and various other places with her family.  Pearl enjoyed crocheting, sewing, gardening, and cooking, for family and friends of course.  Her kitchen was often crowded with good food, love, and happiness.

     Pearl is survived by her six children: Lynn Engels and Kim Stroschein of Watertown, SD, Jill (Curt) Luken of Hazel, SD, Tim (Jodi) Engels of Watertown, SD, Kristi (Bron) Tamulis of Watertown, SD, Doug (Teresa) Engels of Watertown, SD, and Cindy (Troy) Everson of Marana, AZ; 17 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; her mother, Margaret Wright, of Watertown; three brothers: Jim (Frances) Wright of Broadview, IL, Dennis (Lois) Wright of Barronett, WI, and Chuck (Kathy) Wright of Rapid city, SD; three sisters-in-law:  Karen Wright of Sioux Falls, SD, and Vivian Sutten and Viola Engels both of Watertown, SD; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Alberta Engels of Watertown, SD.

     She was preceded in death by her husband, in 2007; one son, Jeffery; her father; and one brother, Edward.

     The family would like to extend their appreciation to Prairie Lakes Hospice for their love, assistance, and support during Pearl’s last days.  Memorials may be directed to Prairie Lakes Hospice in Pearl’s honor.