Curlie Ann Engdahl, nee Flowers, 94, of Elmhurst, formerly of Villa Park, passed away peacefully Dec. 25, 2019.
She was born in 1925 in Paris, Tenn., to Mary D. (Fryer) and Walter Crawford Flowers.
Following training in Nashville, she moved to San Bernardino, Calif., to work in an aircraft factory. On a blind date in 1944 she met Lt. Robert E. Engdahl of Chicago. They married May 23, 1945, just before he left for Guam. Following the war, they lived in Chicago. Next was a relocation to Neenah, Wis., in 1949, where their three children were born. In 1960 they moved to Villa Park.
Curlie’s passion was in making a home for her family and supporting their interests. She was a steadfast member of the Methodist Church in Paris, Neenah and Elmhurst. She taught Sunday school and was active in the UMW.
Curlie was also very active in the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Guild. She loved family visits, gardening, bike riding on the Prairie Path, traveling and camping in the north woods. In 1983 she and Bob embarked on a voyage around the world on their 38-foot sailing yacht, which they completed on their 50th wedding anniversary.
Curlie and Bob lived at Monarch Landing in Naperville prior to moving to Park Place of Elmhurst in 2012. In her final years, she was in the company of life-enriching caregivers and a supportive community.
Curlie will long be remembered for her engaging smile and gracious manner.
She is survived by her three children, Cynthia Engdahl (Tony Sekera) of Hinsdale, Donald (Ruth) Engdahl and Susan (Donald) Hornbostel; her grandchildren, Matthew Hornbostel and Eric Engdahl; her sister-in-law, Adrienne (Richard) Berna; and many nieces and nephews.
Curlie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 2015; her sister, Mary Belle Norwood; and her brothers, William Robert Flowers and Walter Crawford Flowers Jr.
A celebration of life service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, 32 S. York Road, on Saturday, Jan, 25, with visitation at 2 p.m., the service at 3 p.m. and a reception at 4 p.m.
Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, 232 S. York Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126.
Steuerle Funeral Home in Villa Park handled the arrangements.
