June 5, 1933 – Oct. 3, 2013
John Allan Engleson, 80, of Pocatello and Dike Lake passed away on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. John was born to Alfred and Mable Fincke Engleson on June 5, 1933 in Benson, Minnesota. One month later the family, including his brother Don moved to Glascow, MT. They eventually settled in Havre, MT. John attended elementary school there, and graduated from Havre High School.
At the age of 14, he worked at the Havre Hotel as a busboy and then began working for the Great Northern Railroad as a call boy. On Jan. 16, 1952, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS Curtiss, a seaplane tender in the Pacific Theatre. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the China Service Medal. John proudly served on the Admiral’s Staff as the command center was moved to various carriers and destroyers during the war. He was given an honorable discharge on Dec. 22, 1955 with the rank of Quartermaster 2.
John returned to Havre, working as a brakeman for Great Northern Railroad and enrolled in the local college where he met his first wife, Clareen Aaberg and they were married on July 21, 1956 and also took her two sons Lorne and Bryan under his wings; Jan arrived shortly after. The family moved to Denver, CO, where Carla was born.
John attended the University of Denver and graduated with a degree in accounting on June 10, 1959 and passed the CPA exams. He worked as a CPA in Denver and Grand Junction before moving to Pocatello in 1963. He continued his life (passion) as a CPA in Pocatello with the firm of Engleson Capell and Engleson, CPA. He worked full-time, until John went from his office to the hospital on Sept. 24, 2013.
In 1978 he married Shannon Nadine Coziah and she brought one more son to the family, Lyle Eugene Engleson. John was always busy, and he enjoyed investing and built a number of business ventures/adventures in the Pocatello area. To mention a few: Intermountain Claims, 151 Center, Circo, Photomaker, Roadrunner Travel Shop, a farm in Rockford, and a salmon charter boat (STREAKER) in Westport, WA.
John loved to fish, hunt and go goose hunting. He was the ultimate ISU Bengal Booster, and was chosen to receive the Gem Award for his support of the university. He also was a member of the Lions Club, Fraternal Order of the Elks, and was also a member of the Shiners and Masons.
He is survived by his loving wife Shannon: sons, Lorne, Pocatello, Bryan (Sylvia) Camas, WA, and Lyle (Yvonne) Ventura, CA; and daughters, Jan Vier (Pocatello) and Carla (Jon) McNeil (Blackfoot). John had five grandchildren, Brooks Robinson, Heidi Engleson, Michael Engleson (Mel), Lisa (Joe) Hudspeth and Eli Engleson; three great-grandchildren, Braydon, Hunter and Savannah; and sister-in-law Norma Engleson, brother-in-law Kevin (Shellie) Coziah. He also wanted to acknowledge his special friends George Frost and Kevin Robinson, and all the guys at the Coffee Clutch. Last, but not least, he is missed by his two Yorkies, Elly Mae and Lyssa, and Lilly the bird.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Don, two sons-in-law, Phil Brasseure (Carla) and Robert Vier (Jan).
John chose to be cremated and his ashes will be dispersed at a later date.
Services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 4 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1350 Baldy Ave., Pocatello, Idaho with a meal following the service to share your memories of John.
The family asked that donations be made in John’s name to your favorite charity. Condolences to the family can be made on-line at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.
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