Morris A. Engh

Morris A. Engh, age 92 formerly of Westby, died Tuesday September 10, 2019. Morris Ardell Engh, 92 of Westby, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2019 at the home of his son Rohn in Spokane, WA. He was born in Westby on Melby Street, March 28, 1927 to Anna Mathilda Engh. His father Morris Hoff had been killed in an accident months before. He always told stories of great adventures he had as a child growing up in Westby. He was part of the "Greatest Generation". He joined the Navy at age 17 in 1944 and never forgot April 1st, 1945. He was on board the USS Rawlins APA 226 with 400 crew members and 5000 Marine soldiers as they landed on Okinawa where, he recalled there "massive fighting was raging". He received medals including World War II Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon/1 Star, and National Defense Service Medal. He returned to Westby to obtain his HS diploma, he was not able to complete it at that time, so he joined the Merchant Marines and sailed the Great Lakes for a year. He returned to Westby once more to obtain his GED but the Korean War broke out and his love of the military saw him stationed at Pearl Harbor, assigned to a utility fleet preparing ships for battle in Korea. In 1952 stationed in California he completed his GED. He received his HS Diploma with the Westby class of 2001. He then returned to Westby to various odd jobs, but his love of the military and service to our country found him enlisted in the US Air Force. He was assigned to the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. The only Team that had a pilot (Major Rudolph Anderson Jr.) shot down during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He recalled many times strapping Anderson in his seat before a flight. He served in Vietnam 1966 and Thailand 1968. He also received many awards in the Air Force, Vietnam Service Medal, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Stars, As well as many Air Force longevity and good conduct awards. Moe was extremely proud of his service years in different branches of the military for over 25 years. After retirement from the Air Force he went to work for his cousins Harley and Richard Engh at Viking Insulation in Burbank, California, He returned to Westby in the late 70s to care for his mother. He was a member of the Westby American Legion #155 and Westby VFW #8021, where he served as chaplain for over 28 years. He was also the bingo caller for many years with his Famous "O-66 I get my kicks on route 66" which he traveled many times with his children when they were young. He married Anna Marie Brye on May 21, 1955. They were divorced in 1967 but remained friends until her passing April 17, 1917. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Bergh; and his longtime lady friend and traveling companion, Olive Parker. He is survived by his children, Mauree (Brown) Hamilton, Tracy (Jim) Claflin, J Michele (Dave) Wallace, Rohn (Laura) Engh and Joe (Chrissy ) Crispin; his grandchildren, Justin, Amanda, Jami, Lindsey, Loren, Sayra, Lillian, Angela, Haley and Jack; great-grandchildren, Bruce, Penelope, Logann, Matthew; many cousins, in laws, as well as nieces and nephews; great neighbors, Gary and Faith, Fred and Jena, Gary and Mary. He was a life long member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. A funeral service for Morris will be held Saturday, November 2, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, in Westby. Pastor John Dumke will officiate. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Coon Prairie Cemetery. On-line condolences may be offered at www.vossfh.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., in Westby is serving the family.