John Dziengel

John S. Dziengel, age 74 of Melrose, passed away peacefully while doing his favorite hobby, ice fishing, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. While ice fishing, he was overcome by carbon monoxide coming from his buddy heater. NCOAA.US (National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association).

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Melrose with Pastor David Mommens officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

There will be no visitation prior to the service. Visitation and lunch will follow the service at the church.

John Steven Dziengel was born October 5, 1951, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, to Adolph and Phyllis (Hines) Dziengel. He graduated from Villard High School in 1969 and went on to serve two years in the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged as an Airman First Class in 1972. He then served four years in the National Guard.

He was united in marriage to Kathie Offerdahl on September 5, 1981, in Benson, Minnesota, where he was employed as a master plumber.

In 1984, John and Kathie moved to Melrose where he started his own plumbing business, Dziengel Plumbing and Heating. John always said he enjoyed fixing heating problems, but loved plumbing the most. Finally, retiring after 50 years of working hard to provide for his family.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. John was an avid fisherman in all four seasons, with ice fishing being his #1. John could hold a conversation with anyone about anything with a cup of coffee (with cream and sugar) in his hand. He was always there to help his kids, whether it was picking up his granddaughters from school, picking up his boat crew — Kelsie and AJ — for a day of summer fishing and sunshine, teaching Brian and Lex all of his tricks of the trade, and helping Josh and Stacy build their dream home, a project he was not able to complete.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Kathie Dziengel of Melrose; children, Josh (fiancé Stacy Dormanen) Dziengel of Alexandria, Kelsie (AJ) Walsh of Osakis, Brian (fiancé Lex Morris) Dziengel of Stacy; his granddaughters who loved their Papa, Isabella, Amelia, and Aubryn Dziengel; and his siblings, Kathy (Roger) Albers, Ron Dziengel, Dan (Paulette) Dziengel, Mark (Pam) Dziengel, and Pat Dziengel.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Steve Dziengel; and his father- and mother-in-law, George and Arline Offerdahl.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor John by going out fishing, eating some chocolate chip cookies, having a few cups of coffee with friends, filling up the thermos, telling stories and jokes, hugging and playing with your grandkids, and teaching your kids practical life skills like fixing, building, and maintaining things.