Denise Ruth Engel

Denise Ruth Engel was born April 24, 1949 in Ft Eustis, VA to Dennis and Laura Olson. Her father was serving in the US Army at the time. She passed on October 1, 2026 at the age of 77 in Phoenix, AZ.

She married Richard Engel on August 29, 1970 in Lakeside, MT and became an Army spouse. During their marriage, they had 2 children, Dustin and Heidi. She spent her married years living around the world on assignments throughout the United States, Japan, Okinawa, Panama and Italy while raising their children. They divorced in 1994.

Denise was preceded in death by her older brother, Hudson Baron, and her parents. She is survived by her children, Dustin who lives in Phoenix, AZ and Heidi who serves in the US Air Force and is presently assigned in Spokane, WA, her grandchildren, Jared Engel and Josephine Stack, her siblings, Harriette Staudacher, Pat Simpson, Judy Joustra and Dennis Olson, many nieces and nephews and her loyal dog, Evie.

Denise graduated from high school at American International School of Kabul, Afghanistan in 1967 and then continued on to St Patrick’s School of Nursing in Missoula, MT graduating in 1970. She spent her career in nursing serving in a variety of specialties and positions including as a school nurse at the Department of Defense school in Vicenza, Italy; a public health nurse for the State of Nevada and a Sexual Assault Response nurse in Northern Nevada. The humanity and compassion Denise held for all of her patients shines through in this memory shared by her daughter, Heidi; “As a sexual assault examiner, Denise gave each of the victims she encountered a healing stone to carry and hold when they became anxious or upset. Many of the victims later wrote Denise to thank her and shared what a significant impact her caring and empathy had and how it helped them heal”.

Her sister Harriette recalls that Denise was "the kind of person everyone would want as a sister or friend". She had a great sense of fun as sisters Harriette and Pat reminised over several recollections of camping trips in the Santa Cruz Mountains during the years Denise and her husband lived at the Presidio in San Francisco.

Judy recalls that “Denise loved to shop and as such was an excellent gift giver! The gifts were carefully and thoughtfully chosen and immaculately presented in beautiful wrapping. She took great care in making sure the gift was perfect for the recipient.”

Her love of family is further evidenced by these memories and posts shared by her family:

Granddaughter Josephine:

“My Nana was truly such a light in my life. Having her help raise me was one of my biggest blessings. She was always patient with me, always willing to listen and give advice, someone I could always come to. One of my favorite memories of Nana was helping her build her dollhouse. That was such a bonding moment for us, working with clay to create tiny foods and furniture pieces. She was always so creative and crafty. We went through a Bob Ross phase during Covid. I remember I didn’t have a lot of homework one day so we went and got Wendy’s and painted a Bob Ross painting together. Doing arts and crafts with her was always so calming for me. I always remember how I could just sit with her for hours and talk about high school drama and my life. Even when I got older she would always let me sit on her lap while I cried about silly things. My Nana is one of the most important people in my life, she helped build me into the woman I am today and I will be forever grateful for her.”

Niece Kathleen:

“My dearest Aunt Denise,

I can’t believe you are gone and I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. It seems like yesterday that Colleen and I spent the summer with you at the Presidio. You took us to disco dance lessons, Chinatown, the Golden Gate and exploring San Francisco with the rag top down. Your friend’s fancy wedding in the vineyard was beyond amazing. You helped me pick out a pattern and fabrics for my first Gunne Sax dress. It was so complicated but you had patience and helped me finish it. I was so proud of that dress and I kept it for years. Of course military life stepped in and you were off to your next adventure. I was beyond excited when you moved closer to us again. Joey could not have asked for a more personal nurse. Poor kid didn’t know what to think. One visit you were giving him shots and the next you were loving on him at a family dinner. In true Denise fashion, the military stepped in and you were off with Heidi and Josie. Our last visits were way too short but it always felt like not so much time had passed. Love you always, Kathleen”

Niece Colleen:

“My Aunt Denise was an amazing lady. Kind, caring, loving, compassionate, adventurous and I could keep going on. A couple of memories that stand out the most was when I was 15 and stayed with her at Presidio in San Francisco. She had a baby blue convertible with a white top. She would take me, Dustin and Heidi out on excursions with the top down. Usually it was to get different types of ethnic food. I remember going to the piers and my favorite, Lombard Street. We’d go to Chinatown for this hot sauce and go back to her house and have ramen eating contests to see who could get theirs the hottest. She won mostly. That’s probably where my love of hot peppers comes from. She taught me a little cake decorating and how to make steam rolls too. We share the same birthday and there has always been a bond. I will always cherish my memories and am so blessed to have Denise as my aunt. May you rest in peace, Aunt Denise as you are forever an angel in the sky.”

Denise will be horribly missed but she lives on forever in our hearts .

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.