Mrs. Alma Engeltjes, age 78, of Orange City, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2022, at the Orange City Area Health System in Orange City, Iowa.

Alma Fay was born on September 23, 1944, in Orange City, one of twelve children born to Garrit and Margaret (Popma) Wichers. She was raised on a farm southeast of Maurice and graduated from the Maurice-Orange City High School.

She was united in marriage to Donald Wayne Engeltjes on December 23, 1963, at the First Reformed Church in Maurice. Shortly after their marriage, Alma moved in with her parents while Don was deployed overseas as part of the United States Army. After his honorable discharge, they made their home in Le Mars for a brief time, before settling in Orange City, where they raised their family. As a young woman, Alma worked at the Wiersma Poultry Farm, and later in the shipping departments of K-Products and Civco, all in Orange City.

Mrs. Engeltjes was a member of the American Reformed Church in Orange City, where she taught Sunday School for 23 years. In earlier years she was part of softball and bowling league. She was known for her crafting abilities, as well as being energetic and always on the go. She also enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens by the church, and at home, along with canning her produce to share with others. Her love of animals was shown in the number of strays she rescued over the years, as well as the stuffed animals she made and gave as gifts. Alma and Don loved traveling on Don's motorcycle together and visited many places over the years.

Survivors include her husband of more than 58 years, Don, of Orange City; two children and their spouses, Randy and Monica Engeltjes, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Marcia Engeltjes and Marc Denn, of St. Paul, Minnesota; a grandson and his wife, Ryan and Lacey Engeltjes, of Brandon, South Dakota; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Marlin Wichers; Mike Wichers, and his wife, Bonnie; and Leon Wichers; and Don's six siblings, Garry, Gertrude, Bill, Connie, Larry, and Dave.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by eight of her siblings, Irene, Joyce, Russell, Donald, Allen, Betty, Lola, and Bob.

Funeral Services: To be held at a later date
Officiant:
Interment:
Arrangements: Oolman Funeral Home - Orange City, Iowa

Source: Oolman Funeral Home