Eugene Marlin Engen

Eugene Engen

Eugene “Gene” Marlin Engen, 85, of Circle died Aug. 17, 2024.

He was born Nov, 28, 1938, in Wolf Point, the younger son of Glenn and Freda (Sievers) Engen. He joined this family on his brother Earlin’s fourth birthday. Glenn often told the story about how Earlin had taken him by the hand to purchase a toy rattlesnake so his baby brother could have a new “rattle.”

He was a family man. He was always singing, whistling, and telling stories. He enjoyed spending time with them in the field, hunting, garden, kitchen or on family vacations around the state. He loved traveling — even if it was just to “take a drive” to look at the crops.

He lived in old Vida until he was 4. He loved sharing stories of going to his grandma’s house with Earlin. He attended school in Circle and graduated from Circle High School in 1956.

He had a love of the land. The family moved to the Engen farmstead south of Vida and began farming. The family raised winter and spring wheat, safflower and barley. In 1954, the family owned and operated the Circle School Buses for 28 years.

He had a little wild side too as he raced snowmobiles and had several trophies to brag about. Speaking of trophies, one didn’t want to get him started on the hunting stories….

He was united in marriage to Alice Willoughby on Dec. 19, 1964. To this union, two daughters were born, Melanie Jacobs of Sheridan, Wyo., and Melissa Knudson of Glendive. He had two granddaughters, one grandson, two great-granddaughters and one great-granddaughter on the way.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Earlin Engen.

He and Alice were soul mates from the very beginning. They fell in love when she rode Gene’s bus ... scandalous! They sang, worked, laughed and cried together to provide the best life for their family.

He was a proud member of the Army National Guard. He served with his brother from 1958-1964. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Al Bedoo Shrine, the Scottish Rite and the Order of the Eastern Star. He served on the McCone County Nursing Home Board, the Circle Rifle Club and served as a director for Mid-Rivers Telephone Co-op for 40 years, serving as their secretary/treasurer for 38 years, and president of C& CC for two years.

A family service/sharing will be Friday, Aug. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Circle. A memorial service with full military honors will be Saturday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Circle.