Steven L. Engel

Steven L. Engel, 73, of Prior Lake, passed away on July 28, 2024. A Time of Gathering will be held in his honor on Thursday, August 8th, 2024, from 4-6pm at Ballard Sunder Funeral Home in Prior Lake (4565 Pleasant St) followed by Memory Sharing at 6pm. If you feel inspired, please come with a story. We’ve heard there might be a few out there.

Steven Louis Engel was born on December 15, 1950, in Shakopee, MN to Donald and Dode Engel as the third of four sons. The Engel boys were a force to be reckoned with inside and outside the home. As the saying goes, “you can always tell an Engel, but you can’t tell him much” 

After some years, the family established roots in Prior Lake where Steve attended St. Michael Catholic School and served as an altar boy. Later he graduated from Prior Lake Senior High School excelling in athletics, especially baseball.

After high school, Steve enlisted in the Army, serving an honorable tour in Germany. Returning stateside, he worked a few jobs before settling into a lengthy career in commercial and home security with TransAlarm. Along the way, Steve enrolled at the University of Minnesota earning a BS in Sociology. 

In March of 1977, he married the prettiest girl in Prior Lake, his words of course. Lucky for him, Jane was a package deal and Steve became a stepfather to Travis. She’ll never forget Steven telling her when speaking of young Travis, “you have 30 pounds I don’t need, and 30 pounds I can’t ever leave.” Later Travis told Jane, “Mom you should have a girl so you have someone to play with”. Right on cue, Emily joined the family.

In midlife with the help of his co-conspirator and friend, Joel Larson, Steve pivoted to insurance sales where he steadfastly pursued his one true goal: Solitaire champion.

When not honing his skills at internet cards (please read in your best DJT voice), he became an avid collector, a very avid collector, some might say the most avid collector of crusty and dusty VHS tapes. The collection was huge, huger than you've ever seen, quite possibly the hugest. We may never understand the complexities of this brilliant, eccentric, and hardworking man, but that will not stop us from having a laugh in his honor or at his expense.

Together Steven and Jane saw the inside of many pubs across the globe, but he was at no time happier than in an Irish pub with a Guinness in his hand. Unless it was at the lake with his grandchildren by his side, where he proudly went by his self appointed moniker, Grumpa. 

Forever an outlaw and often sporting a mischievous smile, where fun was had Steve was near. Where there was an opinion to share, Steve was there to argue. Where there was work to do, Steve offered his hand. And where there were gifts of time or talent, Steve was there to give. 

Loved and forever missed Steve is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Travis (Chris) Plekkenpol, Emily (Jason) Ihrig; grandkids; Paige (Bryant), Ashley (Daniel), Lili, Jackson, Megan, Jace, Tyler, Nico; great grandchildren; Mcguire, Maddox; siblings; Don (Rosie) Engel, David (Stacia) Engel, Robert (Jane) Engel; brother in law; Don (Sandy) Fahrenkamp; sister in law, Susan (Rick) Buckles; and many other loving relatives and friends. 

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Dode Engel; mother-in-law, Elva Fahrenkamp; brothers in law, Dennis Fahrenkamp and Jon Fahrenkamp; and sister-in-law, Kathy Reed.