1931
Melane
2011
Melane Engen
March 7, 1931 — April 25, 2011
Melane "Mel" Engen, age 80, of Battle Lake, died Monday, April 25, 2011 at his home.
Mel was born March 7, 1931 to Lloyd and Georgine (Wilson) Engen at Vining. He grew up in Fergus Falls and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1949. After his graduation, he joined the US Air Force and was a control tower operator. Mel was stationed for 18 months on Johnson Island during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1953. After his discharge, he was employed as an air traffic controller at Midway Airport in Chicago from 1955-1957. Mel was united in marriage to Merlene Reese in Chicago in 1957. She passed away in 1993. He was then employed as a flight superintendent for 37 years for North Central Airlines in Minneapolis. In 1993, Mel retired and moved to Battle Lake. On June 15, 2002 he was united in marriage to Karen Heinrichs in Alexandria.
Mel enjoyed photography, gardening, cooking, traveling, feeding and watching birds and doing crossword puzzles. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Engen of Battle Lake; his daughter, Bonnie (Greg) Larson of Erhard; his son, Donald Engen of Aneta, ND; step-daughter, Lucy Rivera of Killeen, TX; four step-sons, Chris (Stacy) Heinrichs of Worthington, Daryl Heinrichs of Manning, SC, Lloyd Heinrichs of Killeen, TX, Phillip Heinrichs of Fargo, ND; two grandchildren, Sean Greene and Heather (Randy) Bitzan; three great-grandchildren, Erik, Sarah and Ian; six step-grandchildren, Rachel, Jason, Tasha, Spencer, Tanner and Danielle; two brothers-in-law, David (Linda) Kerkove of Algona, IA and Gomer (JoAnne) Reese of Vacaville, CA; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Merlene and one brother, LaVerne.
Funeral Services: Friday, April 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake
Visitation: one hour prior to the service
Clergy: Rev Jake Dyrhaug
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake
Mel was born March 7, 1931 to Lloyd and Georgine (Wilson) Engen at Vining. He grew up in Fergus Falls and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1949. After his graduation, he joined the US Air Force and was a control tower operator. Mel was stationed for 18 months on Johnson Island during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1953. After his discharge, he was employed as an air traffic controller at Midway Airport in Chicago from 1955-1957. Mel was united in marriage to Merlene Reese in Chicago in 1957. She passed away in 1993. He was then employed as a flight superintendent for 37 years for North Central Airlines in Minneapolis. In 1993, Mel retired and moved to Battle Lake. On June 15, 2002 he was united in marriage to Karen Heinrichs in Alexandria.
Mel enjoyed photography, gardening, cooking, traveling, feeding and watching birds and doing crossword puzzles. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Engen of Battle Lake; his daughter, Bonnie (Greg) Larson of Erhard; his son, Donald Engen of Aneta, ND; step-daughter, Lucy Rivera of Killeen, TX; four step-sons, Chris (Stacy) Heinrichs of Worthington, Daryl Heinrichs of Manning, SC, Lloyd Heinrichs of Killeen, TX, Phillip Heinrichs of Fargo, ND; two grandchildren, Sean Greene and Heather (Randy) Bitzan; three great-grandchildren, Erik, Sarah and Ian; six step-grandchildren, Rachel, Jason, Tasha, Spencer, Tanner and Danielle; two brothers-in-law, David (Linda) Kerkove of Algona, IA and Gomer (JoAnne) Reese of Vacaville, CA; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Merlene and one brother, LaVerne.
Funeral Services: Friday, April 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake
Visitation: one hour prior to the service
Clergy: Rev Jake Dyrhaug
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake
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