Curlie Ann (nee Flowers) Engdahl, 94, of Elmhurst, formerly of Villa Park, passed away peacefully December 25, 2019. She was born December 8, 1925, in Paris, Tenn. Following training in Nashville she moved to San Bernardino, Calif., to work in an aircraft factory. On a blind date, she met Lt. Robert E. Engdahl of Chicago in 1944. They married May 23, 1945, just before he left for Guam. Following the war, they lived in Chicago and later, relocated to Neenah, Wisc., 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 an around-the-world voyage in 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. A devoted, loving wife, mother and grandmother, she is survived by her three children Cynthia Engdahl (Tony Sekera), Donald (Ruth) Engdahl, and Susan (Donald) Hornbostel; her grandchildren, Matthew Hornbostel and Eric Engdahl; sister-in-law Adrienne (Richard) Berna and numerous nieces and nephews. Curlie was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 2015; by her parents Mary D. (Fryer) and Walter Crawford Flowers; by a sister Mary Belle Norwood; and by her two brothers, William Robert Flowers and Walter Crawford Flowers, Jr.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst on Saturday, Jan. 25. Visitation will be at 2 p.m., followed by the service at 3 p.m. and a reception at 4 p.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, 232 S. York Road, Elmhurst. Arrangements by Steuerle Funeral Home. For information, call 630-832-4161 or visit steuerlefh.com.
