Lewis John Engebretsen

Lewis Engebretsen

February 5, 1953 – March 11, 2022

Lewis J Engebretsen, age 69, of Avon Park FL, passed away March 11, 2022.  He was born February 5, 1953, in Beloit WI to Ira and Myrtle Engebretsen.  He married Jennifer Johnson on June 26, 1976, after meeting her on a blind date.  It was love at first sight.  They enjoyed almost 46 wonderful years together.

Lew graduated from Madison Business College in 1975 with a degree in accounting.  He worked for various trucking companies retiring from ABF Freight System after 26 years.  He and Jenni enjoyed 10 years of retirement spending time at their cottage on Swan Lake in Portage WI, and at their house in Avon Park FL.

He is survived by his wife, Jenni, brother Rich and his wife Ellen, Mother-in-Law Caroline Foster (Jim Carroll), sisters in law Kathy (Marko) Pease, Maggie (Tim) Maier, and Sue (Kevin) Hellenbrand along with many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Sharon Hodge, niece Gwen Engebretsen, father-in-law James S Johnson, and brother in law James D Johnson.

Lew was a quiet, content man who enjoyed living a retired life.  He loved his family, friends, and his dachshund Olivia.  Dogs always made Lew smile.  He loved our cottage on Swan Lake in Portage Wisconsin that he bought with his lottery winnings, and his Florida home in Avon Park.  He was a great husband to Jenni.

A special thank you goes to his brother Rich Engebretsen for generously donating one of his kidneys to Lew in July 2001.  Because of his generous gift, Lew was able to enjoy 21 more years of life. Thank-you to Sue and Kevin Hellenbrand for being there around the clock while Lew was at the hospital, and at home.  Thank-you to Dr. Anne Becker for sending her support to Jenni while Lew was sick.    Also thank-you to hospice nurses, Cheryl, Miguel, and Jennifer from Vitas Healthcare for helping Lew during his final days at home.

There will be no service.  In lieu of flowers please donate to the UW Transplant Services, https://www.uwhealth.org/services/transplant-service , or consider becoming a live kidney donor, https://www.kidney.org .

Arrangements entrusted to:

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home

111 East Circle Street

Avon Park, FL  33825

Online condolences may be left at:

www.stephensonnelsonfh.com