Memorial services for Muriel V. Engen, 89, of Albert Lea will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Ascension Lutheran Church. The Rev. Mark Boorsma will officiate. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Muriel passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Muriel V. Engen was born to Roy and Myrtle (Bjurstrom) Johnson near Stockholm, Wisconsin, on Nov. 20, 1928 — exactly 100 years to the day of her great-grandfather Victor Johnson’s birth. She attended country school and graduated from Maiden Rock High School in 1946. She later attended secretarial school in Winona. Her career took her to many places, including Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, San Diego and Albert Lea. She worked for many years as a legal secretary.

Muriel married Allen Engen on Jan. 5, 1957, in Minneapolis. They began their marriage in Olivia, where they lived for a year; then on to Minneapolis, and finally to Albert Lea, where they had their two children, Thomas and Wendy. In 1969 their careers took them to St. Louis Park, where they lived for 28 years.

Muriel took on many volunteer positions in those years. The most rewarding being chairwoman of Loaves and Fishes, feeding the hungry in Minneapolis and later feeding the homeless in Phoenix. In 1997 after retirement, Al and Muriel returned to Albert Lea, where they still had many close friends. Muriel was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, where she participated in many circle and quilting groups. Muriel and Al were both only children, but many of their cousins were considered siblings and friends were thought of as family. They enjoyed antiquing, travel and cruises and made a number of trips to Europe to visit and travel with their son, Tom, during his military service. They enjoyed trips to Hawaii and Alaska, as well. They spent 16 winters in Phoenix, where they would spend time with Wendy and her family.

Muriel is survived by her daughter, Wendy Gravely; grandchildren Thomas (Abigail) Gravely and Hannah (Johnny) Pina; great-grandchildren Haze, Coraline and Hope; and special friends Pat (Laurie) Martini, Maria Martini, Matt Martini and Judy Calahan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Allen, in 2012; and son, Tom, in 2010.

Blessed be her memory.

Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Hospice or Ascension Lutheran Church.