Gene Engen, 84, of Thief River Falls, MN formerly of Gatzke, MN passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Karlstad Senior Living, Karlstad, MN.

The service to honor Gene's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. Timothy Lundeen will officiate. The burial will be at Landstad Cemetery near Gatzke, MN.

Gene A. Engen was born April 20, 1939 on the family farm in Rollis Township, near Gatzke, MN the son of George and Alma (Severts) Engen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Gene attended country school near Gatzke through the eighth grade and later earned his GED.

At an early age, Gene worked as a lumberjack with his Dad and later went to work in North Dakota doing a variety of jobs such as installing telephone poles and construction.

On May 28, 1966, Gene was united in marriage to Linda Toren at First Lutheran Church in Middle River, MN. The couple made their home on the Engen Farm near Gatzke where they raised their two wonderful children Coleen and Jason. On the farm they raised pigs, chickens, cattle, small grains, and alfalfa. When they first moved onto the farm, Gene also continued to work various jobs on the road in North Dakota. He was gone all week, came home exhausted on Friday and went right back to work at noon on Sunday. He worked so hard to try to provide the best he could for his family.

Gene eventually took over the family farm and in the winter he would fix every kind of vehicle imaginable with his best friend, Orlan Dahl in Gatzke.

Later at the age of 53, Gene took the Road Grader position for Marshall County. He retired from that position at the age of 65 and continued to live on the farm until purchasing a home in Thief River Falls to be closer to his children.

Gene repaired all his own machinery and if he could not afford a part, he would make it. He enjoyed ice fishing, summer fishing, gardening, deer hunting and especially loved spending time with his family.

Gene was an honest, compassionate, family-oriented man who showed love in his actions.

Survivors include his daughter, Coleen Kiesow and her children, Kaylani (Cole) Scheef, Justin Kiesow, Christopher (Erica) Kiesow and Carlye Kiesow; his son, Jason (Sherrie) Engen and their children, Jordan (fiancé, Lexi Stegman) Engen and Alexander (special friend, Taylor Pachel) Engen; great-grandchildren, Zoey Engen, James & Jack Scheef.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda in 1994; and his parents.