Donald Engen

Donald Engen, 72, Gary, MN died Saturday, December 16, 2006, at MeritCare Palliative Care Unit, Fargo, N D. Donald Gene Engen was born May 20, 1934 near Gary, MN, the son of Oscar and Annie (Hollevoet) Engen. He first lived with his parents north of Gary, and later moved with them to a farm just west of Gary where he grew up. Donny attended school in Gary and was confirmed in his faith at Gary Lutheran Church in 1950. As a young man he worked at the Eeg Implement at Gary as a mechanic. In 1954, he entered the U.S. Army and served his country until his discharge in 1956. Don was employed at Genteline Motors in Gilbert, MN as an auto mechanic for eight years. On July 27, 1957 he was united in marriage to Carol Ruud in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, MN. They made their home in Virginia, MN until 1962, when they moved back to Gary. He was then employed at American Crystal in Crookston, MN and later for S & S Construction as a foreman on a road building crew. One of projects he worked on was the building of the Hector Airport in Fargo. In 1976, he began working for the Gary School as a bus driver and continued to drive until 1996. Don also drove beet truck during harvest. Throughout his life, he operated his farm near Gary, where he raised cattle and also did car repairs for people within the community. As a young man Don raced both cars and snowmobiles at the Gary racetrack and was a Nascar fan. He is well known in the area for his love of the Lincoln Continental automobile and his complete restoration of two of these cars. He had a special love of beef cattle and also was an avid hunter. Don was a member of the Gary American Legion and the Gary Lutheran Church where he served on the council for several years . His wife Carol, of Gary; one son, Kerby, of Fargo, ND; two brothers, Arnold, of Detroit Lakes, MN and Leonard (Linda), of Gary, survives him. His parents and two sisters, Lorraine Engen and Mildred Werpy preceded Donny in death. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 19th at 10:30 am in the Gary Lutheran Church, Gary. Pastor Jeff McCracken will officiate. Alden Anderson will be the organist with Harlan and Sylvia Bueng as vocalists. The pallbearers are John Moe, Kelly Engen, Kevin Ruud, Kelly Ruud, Jerry Ruud and Ricky Ruud. The Gary American Legion will provide military honors. Interment will be in St. Petri Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gary, MN.

Donald Engen

May 20, 1934 - December 16, 2006