Lester Engen

Lester Engen, age 94, of Decorah died Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA   Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00a.m., Saturday June 3, 2017 at the St. Bridget Catholic Church, Bluffton 3090-253rd Ave. Ridgeway, IA with Father Robert Gross presiding, burial will be in the church cemetery   Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday June 2, at the Schluter Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and after 9:00 a.m. at the church on Saturday        Lester Marion Engen was born May 1, 1923, to Alert and Christina (Melaas) Engen on a farm in Madison Township. Lester attended the Forrester country school, he farmed with his father on the Aase Haugen Farm west of Decorah. Lester married Helen Brown on December 29, 1942, at St. Bridget Catholic Church near Bluffton, together they farmed near Burr Oak and Bluffton. In 1966, they moved to the farm near Frankville and farmed until Helen died on November 19, 1999. On February 23, 2002, Lester married Dorothy Sampson at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah. Lester enjoyed driving horses, playing cards, visiting with friends and spending time with his family.      Lester is survived by five daughters: Doris Sweet, Decorah, IA, Rosie (Gene) Hoover, Algona, IA, Joyce (Wayne) Teslow, Postville, IA, Jan (Boyd) Halverson, Decorah, IA, and Diane (Larry) Krivachek, Waukon, IA, along with many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Two step daughters: Barbara (Terry Yakish) Adams, Des Moines, IA, and Brenda (Richard) Roher, Kewaskum, WI. Step son: Gregg (Debbie) Sampson, Vinton, IA. Step grand and great grandchildren. Sisters-in-law: Doris Engen, Decorah, IA, Norma Engen, LaCrescent, MN, Alice (Joe) Hemesath, Decorah, IA and Frances Syverson, Decorah, IA.      Lester was preceded in death by his parents. Step-mother: Hattie… First wife: Helen Engen. Second wife: Dorthy Sampson.  Three brothers:  Gordon, Spencer (Anges) Engen and Merlin. One sister:  Florence (Leonard) Spilde. In-laws:  Regina (Willard) Weber, LaVern Syverson, Lester (Rose) Sharp and Rita (Kenny) Rude.