Funeral services for Griffin Douglas Engelkes “Griffy” age 4, of Little Rock, IA, were held June 8, 2019 at the George Little Rock Community School in Little Rock, IA with Pastor Chris Lemmon, officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock. Griffin died Monday, June 3, 2019 at Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley.
Griffin “Griffy” Douglas Engelkes was born April 27, 2015 to Nathanel and Hannah (Solem) Engelkes in Worthington, Minnesota. He was baptized June 14, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, where he was a member. He spent his life living in Little Rock, Iowa, where he was known and loved by all.
Griffy loved coloring, the color orange, and spending time with his friends. He loved to be outside, whether it be riding his strider bike, riding in the combine, or planting in the garden. Wherever his big brother Gibson was, Griffin was not far behind, as he loved to be with his big brother. Although Griff’s time was cut short, he loved being a big brother to Gustin, holding and kissing him. Griffy loved going really fast on the four-wheeler and Can Am with his Daddy, and playing with his Baby Jack Jack. He really did not like wearing jeans. He liked playing with the Santa toys, and loved baby Jesus. He really, really liked cake. He will be remembered for his love for animals, being a Mama’s boy, and always smiling. Griffy had the biggest heart of any four-year-old. He could talk his way out of anything, and could not wait to go to preschool.
He is survived by his parents Nathanel and Hannah; brothers Gibson and Gustin Engelkes; grandparents, Paul and Amber Engelkes of Rushmore, MN; Douglas and Laurie (Lynnie) Solem of Huron, SD; Terry and Laurie Deneui of Rushmore, MN; special grandparents Arlan and Rosalie Arends of Little Rock, IA; great grandparents Beverly Engelkes of Rushmore, MN; Marvena and Charlie Agnew of Brandon, SD; Pat Berger of Sioux Falls, SD; Eva Solem of Huron, SD; Dick and Marion Dombek of George, IA; Jim and Kathy Larson of Fort Mohave, AZ; Marlene Deneui of Rushmore, MN; aunts, uncles, cousins; and many, many, many special family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his great grandparents, Donald Solem, Edward Berger, Larry Johlfs, Vernon Engelkes; uncle lost in infancy Wyatt Engelkes; and aunt lost in infancy Morgan Engelkes.
