Donald H. Engen

Longtime Crosslake resident, Donald H. Engen, died October 25, 2024 at Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, MN surrounded by his loving family. He was 89.

Don was born February 14, 1935 in St. Paul, MN to Howard and Bonnie Engen. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in St. Paul, MN, where he made lifelong friends, graduating in 1953. Shortly after High School, he was drafted into the United States Army Corps where he served in Korea. Following his military service, Don attended the University of Minnesota earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1963 and went on to gain his CPA licensure. Don worked for Touche Ross & Co. and then John G. Kinnard & Co. until 1971 before starting his own firm, Donald H. Engen & Associates, CPAs in Crosslake, MN in 1971. He sold his company to Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co. in 1988 where he served as a consultant and partner until his retirement in 2010. He was co-owner of Viking Label & Packaging, Inc. since 1990.

On June 5, 1959, he was united in marriage with Deanna Green in St. Paul, MN where they then resided. They bought their first Northwoods cabin on Trout Lake (Crosslake, MN) in 1959 after working at Manhattan Beach Lodge that same summer. They had four sons before moving to Crosslake full-time, into their current log home on the shores of Rush Lake in 1971. He launched his business from his office above the boathouse and the rest is history. 

Don had a long history of community service in the area. He was deeply involved in the Crosslake Historical Society where he served as President and chief grasscutter, served on the Pequot Lakes School Board, a board member of the Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation, member of the Board of Directors for the St. Joseph Medical Center of Brainerd, a founder of the Lakes Area Medical Development Association, Immaculate Heart Catholic Church finance director, member of the Advisory Board of the Greater Lakes Performing Arts, on the planning and development committee for the Benedictine Health System, director and finance committee member of the Initiative Foundation, and partner/board member of Lakes State Bank. 

Don enjoyed spending time with his wife, sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a devoted family man whose love for his family was evident in every moment spent together. When not enjoying time at home, some of his most cherished memories spent with his family were ski trips to Colorado, fishing adventures in Canada, and time on the beautiful shores of Sanibel Island, Florida. These experiences brought him immense joy and created lasting bonds that will be treasured forever. 

Blessed to have shared his life are his wife of 65 years, Deanna; sons, Mark (Carol Moeller) Engen of Winona, MN, Steve (Heidi Schrupp) Engen of Crosslake, MN, Matthew (Julie Sorby) Engen of Fargo, ND, Brian (Julie Ness) Engen of Crosslake, MN. 

Grandchildren, Michael (Faren) Engen, Eric (Jessica) Engen, Brittany (Joby) Goerges, Madison (Matt) Michaelson, Cole (Morgan) Engen, Leif Engen, Hans Engen, Nessa Engen, Jesse Engen. 

Great-grandchildren, Owen, Graham, Archer (children of Michael and Faren Engen), Sanibel, Eli, Jack (children of Brittany and Joby Goerges), Josie (child of Cole and Morgan Engen) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was proceeded in death by his brother James Engen, sister-in-law Aloha Engen, and parents Bonnie and Howard Engen.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Crosslake Food Shelf, Tunnel to Towers Veteran Organization, or Bridges of Hope in support of Operation Sandwich.

 Services will be held at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake on November 8, 2024. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m. and funeral service at 2:00 with lunch to follow.