Clair Engen
Adrian, MN
Clair was born June 24, 1926 on his grandparent’s farm near Lamberton, Minnesota, the son of Clifford and Ida (Foss) Engen. He grew up on the family farm and attended country schools. Clair farmed with his father for several years at Lamberton and this is where he met Lois Nienkirk when she was attending Normal Teacher Training School.
Clair and Lois were married on March 21, 1951 in Woodstock, Minnesota. After their marriage, they lived and farmed near Jeffers, Minnesota for a few years. In 1956, they moved to the Nienkirk homestead southeast of Adrian where they continued farming and raising four children.
In June of 2012, Clair and Lois moved to the Poplar Creek assisted living facility in Luverne. They moved into the Adrian Care Center in January of 2013. Lois passed away on July 6, 2013 in Sioux Falls. Clair moved to the Adrian Country Living Cottages and resided there until he passed away on October 9, 2016.
Having been a farmer for most of his life, Clair enjoyed the day to day work of the family farm. He was always busy with the crops and livestock and wasn’t afraid to take on equipment maintenance and repairs. During Clair’s era of farming, it was common for the farming neighbors to come together at harvest time to help each other out and Clair was always willing to offer assistance.
Clair enjoyed the simple things in life and never traveled too far from the farm or home. Over the years, he cared for many dogs and cats on the farm. He loved listening to polka music on the radio and was content to stay in the car listening to the radio while Lois shopped. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian.
Clair is survived by his daughters, Connie (Gary) Hoffer of Adrian and Nancy Rowe of Bonney Lake, Washington; five grandchildren, Tom (Andrea) Hoffer, Ann (Brain) Jindra, David (Kim) Hoffer, Shelby (Cody) Moyer and Ciara (Andrew) Gilman. He is preceded in death by his two children, Kevin and Susan; parents; and his wife, Lois.
Clair Engen passed away Sunday at the Country Living Cottages in Adrian. Visitation will be 4-7 pm Wednesday at Adrian Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 10:30 am Thursday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian and interment at Adrian Cemetery. Adrian Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.adrianfuneralhome.com
