Obituary of Sheldon Engen

ENGEN SHELDON

Sheldon Engen, age 69 of rural Irene, SD passed away Thursday, May 01, 2025 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD.  Memorial services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Viborg Community Center, Viborg, SD with Revs. Marlin Wangsness and Max Whitehead officiating.  Burial will be at a later date. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the community center.  The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD has been entrusted with the service details.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.  Live streaming of Sheldon’s service can be found at: https://server.attend.live/static/event/82oW3. 

Sheldon E Engen was born March 4, 1956 in Viborg, South Dakota to Sanford and Lorraine (Eide) Engen.

Sheldon was baptized at Elim Lutheran Church and confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in rural Irene, SD. On August 17, 1991 he married Mary K. (Smith) Engen at Saint Joseph Cathedral Sioux Falls. Sheldon participated as a board member and Sunday school teacher at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was an active member on the Mayfield Township Board for 33 years, retiring in March of 2025. He served on the Viborg elevator board and the First Dakota Bank Ag committee.

Sheldon graduated Viborg High School in 1974 after which he attended the Sheldon, Iowa Technical School for carpentry. He took over the farming operation in May of 1976 after his father passed away. Through the years he wore many different hats tending to dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, stock cows, and row crops. He took pleasure in having his sons join him in the farming operation. His joy grew when his grandsons showed a love for the farm and especially the tractors.

Sheldon was the most kind and loving man you could ever meet. His gentle heart showed in many ways from picking up hitchhikers to mentoring neighbor boys and volunteering for church and community projects. Sheldon never knew a stranger.

Sheldon is survived by his wife of 33 years Mary; Sons Seth (Maggie) Engen, Kyle (Jacque) Engen, Ethan (Izzy) Engen; Grandchildren Ollan, Sampson, and Patsy; Sisters Sandra (Bill) Rodel, Cleo (Terry) Sorensen, Brother-in-Law Ron Gjoraas; 10 nieces and nephews, 20 great nieces, and nephews.

Sheldon was preceded in death by his parents Sanford and Lorraine; Son Aaron; Sisters Blanche Gjoraas, Janet Engen, and Janice Engen; Nephews Philip Sorensen and David Smith.