Esther M. Engen

Esther M. Engen, 94 a life time resident of Devils Lake, ND died on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Esther will be held on Monday, January 30, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Esther will be Eric Sollien, Mike Engen, Collin Hanson, Doug Nerby, Mike Montplaiser and Barry Grant. Esther M. Jensen was born on July 22, 1911 at Devils Lake, ND the daughter of Hans Peter and Anna (Hanson) Jensen. She graduated from Devils Lake High School, then attended Valley City Teacher’s College. After receiving her teaching certificate, Esther taught Elementary School Art at Bowman, ND and Southam, ND. On June 19, 1937 Esther was united in marriage to Richard A. Engen at Devils Lake. They established their home in Devils Lake where Esther devoted her life to caring for her husband and children. Mr. Engen died on July 23, 1982. Esther moved to Heartland Care Center in 1999. Esther was a life member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and was very active in WELCA. She was also a former member of a local Homemaker’s Club and the Danish Brotherhood. Esther loved to cook and bake and it gave her great joy to entertain her family and friends. Her Danish “pastries” were second to none to her children and grandchildren. She had a special talent for needlepoint and crocheting and made sure everyone had one or more of her creations. Esther was so amazed by the many changes she had been a part of in her 94 years and she eagerly shared her thoughts and wisdom with her grandchildren. At the core of Esther’s life, was the love, pride and joy she had for her children and grandchildren. Her sparkling eyes and sweet smile will be greatly missed. Esther is survived by her children: Patricia Sollien and her husband, Arden of Rochester, Minnesota Richard Engen and his wife, Debra of Grand Forks, ND Five Grandchildren: Kaarin (Dan) Hardtke, Kristin (Jeff) Sanders, Eric Sollien; Michael Engen and Michelle Engen Six Great Grandsons: Trey and Jordan Sanders; Alex, Ryan, Adam and Reed Hardtke Six Nieces also survive. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; brother, Emil Jensen; sister, Elsie Burkhard and two nephews.