Percy C. ENGE, D.V.M.

ENGE, THOMPSON, EDWARDS, CHAPMAN, RELFE, BUSBICE, ELLIOTT, DE MATTIES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/6/2013 at 10:50:55

May 31, 1912 --- May 7, 2004

Percy C. Enge (Pete) D.V.M. died May 7, 2004 at his home. He was born May 31, 1912 in Clarion, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; Peter & Sara Carrina Thompson Enge; a sister, Mrs. Chester Edwards; two brothers, Dr. Emery H. Enge and Dr. Clifford O. Enge; and his first wife, Mary Louise Chapman Enge. He is survived by his second wife, Mrs. Helen Relfe Enge; sister-in-law, Mrs. Clifford Enge; and children, James Enge, June Enge Busbice and Douglas Enge; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived and will be sorely missed by two step-children, Pat Elliott (Tom) and Lynne de Matties (Nick) and two step-grandchildren. Upon graduation from Clarion H.S. he farmed for 2 years before Pete and his brother entered Texas A&M. Dr. P. C. Enge earned a DVM in 1939 and established a large animal practice in Storden, MN. Pete married Mary Louise in 1939 and they had three children. Pete joined the Army in 1943. He was promoted to Captain and served as Chief Surgeon of the War Dog Training Center in Hawaii during World War II. After the war he rejoined his family and reestablished a veterinary practice in Windom, MN. At Windom Pete built a large animal hospital and brought in 2 partners, was elected to the school board and later elected Mayor. He served as finance chair to build a new Lutheran church. In 1957 Pete and his family moved to Davis, CA after he accepted the position as head extension veterinarian at UCD. After serving 5 years in this position he returned to private practice. He and his family moved to Tempe, AZ where he built a small animal hospital. He retired in 1975 after a distinguished career. In 1982 his wife, Mary Louise, died from a recurrence of cancer. He then moved to Sun Lakes, AZ. He met Helen Relfe of Sun Lakes, AZ and they were married in 1985. Later, they moved to Scottsdale. Helen and Pete had a wonderful life together for almost 20 years. Pete was very much loved and admired by his children and extended family. He had a great sense of humor, loved life, flowers, friends and had an enduring sense of the importance of family. A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held on June 26, 2004, at 5:00 p.m., at Scottsdale House, 4800 North 68th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Arizona Republic -- Phoenix, Arizona
June 20, 2004