Loretta Faye Engelhardt

Ava, Missouri

Loretta Engelhardt,  65 years, 3 months, 8 days old, passed away on February 22, 2025, at her home in Ava, Missouri.  She was surrounded by her family.

On November 14, 1959, Loretta was born in Gainesville, Missouri, to Marvin and Mary (Barcus) Caudill.

Loretta was a Christian and attended Ava First Baptist Church.  She also enjoyed watching Crosspoint Church services online.

Loretta and Johnnie (Frankie) Engelhardt were united in marriage by Vernon Fuller on June 18, 1976, in Johnnie's grandparents' home in McClurg, Missouri. Together they had two children, Shawna and Brandy.

She worked as a babysitter and also at a donut bakery starting at the age of 16, then Loretta worked at Hagles,  then finished her working career at Copeland until she retired.

She enjoyed mushroom hunting, camping, tending flowers, and canning from her garden.   Loretta raised Boston Terriers.   She liked a friendly game of poker and making Christmas candy and sugar cookies with her grandkids.  Loretta loved spending time with her family.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents.

Loretta is survived by her husband, Frankie; her daughters, Shawna and Brad Nelsen and Brandy and Justin Stillings; grandchildren, Ivy Nelsen, Grace Johnson, Seri Harvey, Reagan Stillings, Brody Stillings; siblings, Lena and Wes Robertson, Jerry and Tammy Caudill, and Laverna Caudill; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial services for Loretta will be at 11:00 A.M. on March 1, 2025, in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, Missouri. Visitation will be Friday, February 28, 2025, at 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Rick Spacek. Memorials may be made to Children's Miracle Network in Springfield, Missouri.