Engeline "Engie" Alva Carnes was born on October 1, 1939 to Harm and Della (Braak) Straatmeyer. Engie passed away peacefully on March 10; 2025 surrounded by Family. Engie was born and raised on the family farm north of Lennox, South Dakota. She graduated from Lennox High School in 1957 and on August 9 of that summer she married Cortland Carnes. Cortland and Engie were married for 67 years and were blessed with four children.

Engie was a great mother and wife who lived a selfless life devoted to the needs of her family. She loved watching her family be successful but at the same time was quick to avoid any attention or recognition for herself. Engie always put her family first. One of her joys was to host the annual holiday open house for the school staff and church choir.

During her rare moments of free time Engie enjoyed working in her beautiful rose garden. She also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds. She especially treasured seeing her favorite bird, the Cardinal. In her later years Engie really enjoyed going to the coffee shop with friends or family. Quite often when family would stop by for a visit, Engie could be heard saying, "Let's go for coffee!" Engie was a longtime member of the Zion United Methodist Church in Beresford.

She is survived by her husband, Cortland; son, Steve (Kim) Carnes; daughter, Glenda (Brad) Johnson; daughter, Nancy (Koln) Knight; son, Clif (Sandra) Carnes; sister, Geneva Medema; brother, Glen (Caren) Stratmeyer; twelve grandchildren, Chelsea (Bill) Stangler, Brittni Carnes, Alex (Emily) Carnes, Hillary Johnson and Chris, Ashley (Chris) Sharpe, Kali Johnson, Karson Knight, Kyle Knight and Shanell, Stephanie Carnes and Darius, Crystal (Kody) Kramer, Hannah (Brett) Ziemer, Caleb (Nicole) Carnes; thirteen great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Zachary, Caius, Thea, Joseph, Makiah, Tori, Elly, Ever, Rylee, Archie, Shyla and Noah. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Benard Straatmeyer and great-grandson James Ziemer.

A Celebration of Life service will be 2PM Sunday, March 16, 2025 at the Zion United Methodist Church, 47106 298th Street in Beresford with visitation from 12-2PM. In lieu of flowers memorial may be sent to The Dougherty Hospice House, Beresford Ambulance, or Beresford Zion United Methodist Church.