Donald William Engen

  Donald W. Engen, 79 of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota died Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, North Dakota. Donald William Engen was born on March 21, 1936 in Yankton, SD and grew up in nearby Volin, SD. He was baptized in the Christian Faith on May 28, 1936 and confirmed that faith on April 2, 1950 at Zion Lutheran Church in Volin, SD. After high school graduation, Don earned his bachelor's degree from Wayne State College in Wayne, NE and his master's degree from South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. Don married his high school sweetheart, Janet L. White, on October 15, 1960. He coached basketball and taught in Salix, IA. Don also coached basketball in Canistota, SD, Russell, MN, and Winnebago, MN. Don and Jan moved to Wahpeton, ND in 1966, where he became the North Dakota State College of Science head basketball and golf coach. Don coached the NDSCS Wildcats for the next 13 years. The 1969-70 team won the Region 13 championship, advancing to the national NJCAA tournament in Hutchinson, KS. Don retired from coaching in 1979, was the chairperson for the physical education department, and became the NDSCS athletic director in 1981, where he remained until his retirement in 1998. Don worked closely with regional high schools, hosting many basketball tournaments and track meets at NDSCS. He was recognized for his service on a local and regional level. Don was named to the NDSCS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and was also honored with the NJCAA Region XIII Lifetime Achievement Award that same year. He was very honored to be appointed Director Emeritus in 2010. Don also served on the Wahpeton Park Board for eight years and officiated high school basketball and football for more than 10 years. After retirement they made their home on Stalker Lake (by Battle Lake), but the pull of "chasing the grandkids" prevailed and in 2003 Don and Jan moved to Detroit Lakes. He grew in faith and served as he wove his way into the hearts and lives of many with his inviting smile and welcoming personality. Don was his grandkids' greatest supporter and biggest fan in all of their activities, both inside the gym and out! He was a very proud grandpa and is already missed. Don is survived by his wife, Janet Engen of Detroit Lakes, MN; daughter, Denise (Ladd) Lyngaas and son, Richard "Dick" Engen, both of Detroit Lakes, MN; grandchildren, Bennett (Kelli), Jackson, Trey, and Molly; sister, Sherry Fuller of Gilbert, AZ; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Helen Engen, Sioux Falls, SD, Jim White, Parker, SD, Larry and Wanda Freng, Sioux Falls, SD, and Ric and Gwendy Sorensen, Apple Valley, MN, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, son, Jon Engen, brother, Robert Engen, and a niece and three nephews.