Services for Ralph William Engen
Thu, 10/05/2023 - 11:57am
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Ralph William Engen passed away on August 31, 2023, at St Anthony’s Hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Ralph was born on November 28, 1932, in Fosston, Minnesota, the son of Christ and Anna (Johnson) Engen. He was born into a farming family where he received his values that sustained him throughout his life. He attended Lade School and graduated from Fosston High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. On returning home he attended and graduated from Bemidji State College on the GI bill earning a degree in education. He taught Social Studies for 20 years mostly in Wadena, MN, and continued farming in the Fosston area. While teaching in Wadena he met and married Julieanne Hanson, a fellow teacher. Ralph especially enjoyed traveling with Julie and exploring the United States. One of the places they traveled and especially enjoyed was Gig Harbor, Washington. When he retired from teaching, they moved to Gig Harbor where he continued working in free lance carpentry. His talents included designing and building the beautiful home he and Julie enjoyed overlooking the water of Gig Harbor with a beautiful view of the mountains out their windows. Their yard boasts his love of gardening including many fruit trees. He also enjoyed reading and traveling. Their travels included visiting many national parks and worldwide travels beyond their dreams. Still, he found time to hike the mountains and coastlines of the northwest. Ralph always had an ever inquisitive, intelligent, and witty sense of humor. He was a committed husband and friend and will be remembered as a kind man and dearly missed.
Ralph is survived by his wife Julianne Engen of Gig Harbor, Washington; Sister Carol Sorenson of Bemidji, MN; brother George Engen of Ridgefield, Washington; Sister-in-Law Mary Sanborn (Mel) of Faribault, MN; Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents – Christ and Anna Engen; brother- Norman Engen and his wife Lorraine (Nordlund); brother – Arvid (Bob) Engen; sister Lorraine (Lolly) Walker and her husband Melvin Walker; Sister-in-Law Donna (Axelvold) Engen; brothers-in-law James Hanson, David Hanson, and John Hanson.
Celebrations of his life may be made to:
Michael Fox Parkinson’s Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Grand Central Station
PO Box 4777
New York, New York 10163
Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge
PO Box 1130
Kilauea, HI 96754