Obit: Engel, Donald R. (1939 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bode, Engel, Heuer, Nowak, Plyer, Saari

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 12/24/2017

Engel, Donald “Don” R. (11 JUL 1939 - 21 DEC 2017)

Donald “Don” R. Engel, 78, a longtime resident of Minocqua, died on Dec. 21, 2017 at Alpha Senior Concepts in Green Bay.

A memorial service for Don will be held on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 12 p.m. at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff with a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Don was born on July 11, 1939 at home in the town of Little Black, near Medford, the son of Wallace and Luella (Heuer) Engel. He grew up on a dairy farm in Medford where he worked hard milking cows every day. Don graduated from Medford High School in 1957 and married Barbara Plyer on June 10, 1961 and they later divorced in 1990. He proudly served in the Army National Guard from Oct. 1961 to May of 1965.

In his early years, Don worked at Hurd Millwork in Medford and was an officer with the Medford Police Department. He went on to graduate as president of the fifteenth Wisconsin State Patrol Academy class in 1966. Then he moved to Minocqua in 1968, where he was a Wisconsin state patrol officer until 1993 when he was forced to retire early due to an injury.

Don was a founding member of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, volunteered his time for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and served on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress board. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church from 1968 until his death. Don loved hunting and fishing, he was a master story teller, enjoyed visits from his family and loved taking care of his horses and property. He enjoyed shooting and received numerous awards for marksmanship in the military and state patrol. He was on the Wisconsin State Pistol Team for many years.

Don is survived by two daughters, Jodi (Bernie) Nowak of Philipsburg, Mont. and Becky (Chad) Saari of Abrams; grandchildren, Amanda (Adam) Bode of Appleton, Jennifer Polzin of Wauwatosa, Jacob, Joshua, Josie and Jadyn Saari, all of Abrams; great-grandchildren, Aurora, Asher, Asa and August Bode of Appleton; his brother, Wayne (Carol) Engel of Medford; sister-in-law, Rose Engel of Medford; and nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Luella (Heuer) Engel; and two brothers, Monion and Russell.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com .

Nimsgern Funeral and Cremation services is serving the family.