Danuta Engel

May 18, 1940 - February 7, 2021

Danuta Engel, 80, of St. Louis Park, MN died peacefully after a long and courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy – Ataxia on February 7, 2021. Danuta was born Danuta Jadviga Kuras on May 18, 1940 in Zborow, Poland to a Jewish mother and Catholic father. After surviving the war by hiding from the Nazi’s in a small village, Danuta grew up in post-war Poland as a Catholic under Soviet/Communist rule. As a teenager, she loved American rock-and-roll music, and hoped one day to see America, a free country she could only dream about. At 23 years old, she got her chance when she was invited to visit family who had immigrated to New York, and she set off by herself on a boat over the Atlantic Ocean. It was there that she met the love of her life, Izo Engel, a tiny little Polish/Jewish man 18 years Danuta’s senior, and a perfect match for Danuta’s tiny stature. Izo proposed to Danuta on their first date, a blind date, and the two were married two months later. Danuta converted back to Judaism and Danuta and Izo proceeded to have two children, Morris and Judy, whom they raised Jewish, primarily in Madison, WI. Danuta’s life was devoted first to her children, then to Izo, whom she cared for with an amazing strength as he battled heart failure. Danuta was soft spoken, but a great life-long friend to her small circle. In her later years she loved to travel and experience new things, and of course, spend time with her grandchildren, Chloe and Gabriel. Danuta was diagnosed with Ataxia, and then later Multiple System Atrophy in 2007. She battled the disease for nearly 14 years, which eventually robbed her of her independence, but not her love of life, positive spirit and kind and unassuming nature. Danuta was preceded in death by her parents, Tadeusz and Maria Kuras. She is survived by her son, Morris (wife Patty), her daughter Judy (husband Peter) and her two grandchildren, Chloe and Gabriel. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. CST via zoom (link provided below) to be immediately followed by a graveside burial at the Adath Yeshurun cemetery in Edina, MN, where Danuta will finally be reunited with Izo. Donations to the in National Ataxia Foundation (ataxia.org) would be appreciated by the family in lieu of flowers. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86790028012?pwd=eGo3dzY3MWhSWHZXMTUrZ3lnTzBtdz09 Meeting ID: 867 9002 8012 Passcode: 604724 One tap mobile +19292056099,,86790028012#,,,,*604724# US (New York) +13017158592,,86790028012#,,,,*604724# US (Washington DC) Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 867 9002 8012 Passcode: 604724 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/koLxT9ANi