Wayne Llewellyn Engbretson, age 85, most recently of Memphis, TN, passed away on May 20th, 2019. Wayne was born in Fosston, MN on December 17, 1933 to parents Carl and Gladys (Lindberg) Engbretson, both of Norwegian descent. He attended school in a one room schoolhouse through 8th grade and in the winter skied to school through the snow. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from University of North Dakota, a law degree from Jones Law School, and a Masters in Public Administration from Auburn University at Montgomery. Wayne served the U.S. government for 43 years — 12 years as a navigator in the Air Force, 30 years as an adjudicator with the VA regional office in Montgomery, AL, as well as 1 year with the Postal Service in Tampa, FL. He married Gwendolyn Tolbert, the love of his life, on July 26, 1969 — the two would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this year. They have two children: Carla Elizabeth Engbretson and John Wayne (Laura) Engbretson. They also have 3 grandsons: Evan Joseph (age 12), Eli James (age 10), and Elliot Wayne (age 6). The Engbretsons lived in Wetumpka, AL for almost 40 years, and moved to Memphis in 2007 to be closer to their grandchildren. Wayne was an honest man, a faithful husband, and a dedicated father. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage. He loved to tell stories and was an avid reader. He had a booming bass voice and sang in the church choir for decades, and he frequently played the roles of God or Noah in children’s musical productions. Funeral services for Wayne will be held Friday, May 31, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Bartlett United Methodist Church, 5676 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN. Visitation will be immediately prior to the service from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Interment will be at the West Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Wayne’s favorite charity — Soaring Eagle in Billings, Montana, honoring Northern Cheyenne elders (www.soaringeagle.org).
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Wayne Llewellyn Engbretson of Memphis Tennessee December 17 1933 May 20 2019.
Forest Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park
Death notice for the town of: Memphis, state: Tennessee