Engen, Clayton Orlan 1941 - 2021
ENGEN, NESS
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/14/2021 at 11:54:49
Clayton O. Engen, age 80, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2021, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2021 at Madison Lutheran Church in rural Ridgeway, Iowa with Rev. Jim Scaife officiating. Burial will be in the Madison Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at Madison Lutheran Church.
In consideration of Covid-19 concerns, masks and physical distancing are required.
Clayton Orlan Engen was born at his home in Madison Township on March 19, 1941 in Decorah, IA, to Clarence and Agnes (Ness) Engen. The family lived on a farm west of Decorah in Madison Township. He attended rural school at Madison #1 and graduated from Decorah High School.
After completing high school, Clayton continued his work on the family farm where they raised crops, chickens, swine, and cattle. Clayton’s love for farming was unending. After losing his parents and his brother, Allan, he continued his hard work of farming to raise and milk Holstein dairy cattle until 2006. During his retirement, Clayton continued his love for cattle by raising his herd of Herefords. He enjoyed caring for and watching his herd of Hereford cattle and enjoyed watching crops being planted, grown, and harvested.
Clayton wanted to travel and was able to attend the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington. He was very proud of having taken that trip in his younger years.
Clayton served on the Madison Lutheran Church Council for many years and also served as the Treasurer. He continued his service to the church until he had to focus solely on the farm. Clayton made sure to share his spotlights at the annual Sunday School programs making the Madison Lutheran Church Sunday School programs the best around.
In 1960, Clayton entered a contest and when the results were tallied, his idea for what is now known as Minowa Heights was chosen as the name for the new subdivision in Decorah. The contest was sponsored by Decorah Builders, Inc. Clayton’s entry was the winning entry from more than 300 entries.
Clayton loved to raise flowers. He had numerous flower beds on his farm. He especially loved red flowers and loved raising unique plants that needed extra attention and caring. He even planted his own flower bulbs last spring and enjoyed the many flowers. There were multiple bird feeders at Clayton’s farm, and he enjoyed watching the variety of birds that he fed year round.
Clayton became a resident of Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah on October 12, 2020. He passed away there on Friday, May 7, 2021, at age 80. He was very proud to be 80 years old and knew that he had met a big milestone.
Left to cherish Clayton’s memories are the Madison Township neighbors, many cousins, and especially the families of LeRoy McClintock, Keith Johnson, and Bobby Jewell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence (April 19, 1974) and Agnes (December 31, 1973), and his brother Allan, from a farm accident, on August 13, 1975.
Memorials may be given to: Madison Lutheran Church, Aase Haugen Senior Services, or Bremwood Woodhaven Shelter in Waverly, IA. They can be mailed to Decorah Bank & Trust, Attn: Trust Dept., 202 E. Water Street, Decorah IA 52101.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Madison Lutheran Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen