Donna "Dee" Engel

Donna Dee Smith Engel, of South Sioux City, NE, passed away peacefully on Friday January 22, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona, with the only man she ever loved and was married to for over 68 years: Pat, and her favorite youngest son Mike at her side. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic church, South Sioux City, NE at Noon on February 6, 2021 followed by graveside services at St. Michael’s cemetery. Visitation will be February 5, from 4:30 to 7pm with a rosary at 4:30pm at Mohr & Becker Hunt Funeral Home followed by a prayer service at 6. Family present. Covid protocol in place. Please wear a mask.  The service will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/3-pVrUawttA

She lived a remarkable life. Born June 29, 1932 in Clifton, Kansas to Bernard F. Smith and Elsie Golden Knox Smith. Her Dad worked for Northern Natural Gas as a plant manager thus the family moved several times until they settled in South Sioux City when she was in 8th grade. She attended South Sioux City high school where she met Leo Patrick Engel, whom her Dad at first disapproved of. She knew better of course, and married him on September 6, 1952. To this union five children were born: Kathie, Kim, Jeff, Julie and Mike. Dee was a devoted wife, a wonderful mother and a talented cook. She believed there was always room for one more at her table and over the years she fed thousands. Dee was a lifelong member of the Catholic Daughters of America, a founding director of Siouxland National Bank, a meals on wheels volunteer, a eucharistic minister, a member of the Legislative League (for spouses of elected officials) and an incredible bridge player. She and Pat traveled the world with his job as a state senator and as a State Farm insurance agent.

She was beautiful, kind, funny and had a spine of steel. Her kids said that although it took them a long time, they realized she was the one in charge. Her faith was unwavering and she lived it every day. She will be missed deeply by her husband of 68 years, Pat; her children, Kathleen (Anders) Backlund, Kimberly (Rich) McLaughlin, Jeffrey Engel, Julia (Jay) Holmquist, Michael (Denise) Engel and Bruce (Bridget) Davis; grandchildren, Mark (Jena) Meyer, Michelle (Matt) Jordan, Claire & Anna Holmquist and David Engel; and great grandson Austin Patrick Jordan. She is survived also by her brother Jerry (Charlotte) Smith, Jolene (Ray) Jones, many nieces and nephews and thousands of friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandsons Patrick Michael McLaughlin and Christopher Michael Engel, her parents, her brother Daryl and her sister Frances. Dee’s love shines on in all who knew and loved her.

Memorials to St Michael’s Catholic school scholarship fund in her name or donor’s choice.