Caroline E. Engstrom, age 100, a resident of Central Baptist Village in Norridge for 13 years, and formerly of Lake Geneva, WI, and Wheaton, IL, died Saturday, March 2, 2013 at home.

Caroline Emma was born on June 4, 1912 in Chicago, Illinois, to Christian and Frances Petersen. She was their third child and the only girl in the family of eight children. As a child her parents took the family to church which was about a mile away. The family usually walked to church unless the weather was inclement. In that case, the family put on their long underwear and took the streetcar. Her wardrobe consisted of three dresses: one Sunday, one school, and one after school. No problem in deciding on what to wear!

At the age of nine on April 3, 1921, Caroline accepted the Lord as her personal Savior after listening to the following song:

They nailed my Lord upon the tree and left Him, dying there
Thru love He suffered there for me, 'twas love beyond compare.
Crucified! crucified! And nailed upon the tree.
With pierced hands and feet and side! For you….for me!

Her heart was stirred and she wanted this loving Savior as her own. John 3:16 states that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Five years later, she was baptized at the age of 13.

School subjects which she enjoyed were English/Reading, History and, of course, recess and gym. She loved to jump rope! In high school she took classes to be a secretary including Pittman shorthand and typing at which she excelled.

Upon graduation she went downtown Chicago to work her first job. It was the depression then, so every week she brought home her entire paycheck and gave it to her father to help feed the large family. After supper dishes were done, it was common practice for the family to gather around the piano (which Caroline or her mother played) and sing hymns. Singing always made her happy! She started singing in the church choir at the age of twelve and continued singing throughout her entire adult years.

Stanley Engstrom met his future wife, Caroline, at some special missionary meetings. After dating for three months, they knew the Lord was leading them together, although it was two years before they could marry. Their wedding vows were exchanged on April 25, 1936. Her beautiful white tulle wedding gown cost $7.70 and she carried a bouquet of white roses!

As a newlywed, Caroline spent her time still working downtown and teaching a boy's third grade Sunday school class. Stanley and Caroline worshipped with the Plymouth Brethren Assemblies their entire adult life. The Lord blessed them with two daughters: Elizabeth Anne and Grace Louise. After the children were in school Caroline worked at Wheaton Academy for several years, putting her secretarial skills to good use once again.

Stanley became the first director of Lake Geneva Youth Camp in Wisconsin. After that, it was a family thing, the four of them at camp every summer. Caroline was a counselor during girl's camp and worked in handcraft during boy's camp. In the winter months she would make plaster-of-paris molds and gather materials to be used in the summer camping program. This serving the Lord at camp went on for forty years!

Alongside of her camp ministry, Caroline also taught women's Bible classes for many years using study materials from Emmaus Correspondence School. Several months after Stanley's homegoing, Caroline sold the family home and moved, in order to be closer to the family. In 2000, she moved into Central Baptist Village, where she quickly became involved in Bible classes, prayer meetings, and the choir. Playing in the chime choir was a new musical experience, and she loved it!

Though she is gone from us, she left this message in her Bible to us:
"Would you like to know where I am? I am at home in my Father's house, in the mansions prepared for me. I am where I want to be, safe in God's arms. My sowing time is done and I am reaping the joy of my harvest. Would you like to know how it is with me? I am made perfect in holiness. Would you like to know what I am doing? I see God, not as through a glass darkly, but face to face. I am engaged in the sweet enjoyment of my precious Redeemer. I am singing hallelujahs to Him who sits upon the throne and I am constantly praising Him. Would you like to know who I am with? I am with the angels, my husband and many old friends with whom I worked and prayed with who came here before me. Would you like to know how long this will continue? After millions and millions of ages, it will be as fresh as it is now. Therefore, weep not for me!" Put your trust in the Savior so that you can be there, too.

She is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth (Rex) Moore of Des Plaines, IL and Grace (Kent) Monken of Chandler, AZ; four grandchildren, Melody (Jim) Bateman, Melinda (Steve) Traficanti, Cassandra (Morris) Seaman-Whitaker and Mark (Jill) Moore; ten great-grandchildren; and one brother, John Petersen.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; and six brothers.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March, 10, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel at Central Baptist Village, 4747 N. Canfield, in Norridge, IL. Interment will be private at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lake Geneva, WI.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Lake Geneva Youth Camp, W2655 South St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147; or to Emmaus Bible College, 2570 Asbury Rd, Dubuque, IA 52001.