Donald Lee Enger

Don was born August 6, 1924, in Oakes, North Dakota to Clarence and Mabel Enger. The family lived on a farm homesteaded by grandfather Ole Enger in 1883.

Don was a free spirit who grew up roaming the ND prairie, trapping gophers, hunting, horseback riding, playing baseball, and making music. Whatever he loved to do, he did with all his might and ingenuity. Because he grew up in the Great Depression, he expected to work hard and be satisfied with humble things.

After graduating from high school in Oakes, Don joined the US Army where he was in an army band and received good music training. After the army, Don attended the Ellendale Normal and Industrial College. He married Wilma Schwarting halfway through college and graduated in June, 1951. Don and Wilma had four children, Lee, Lizabeth, Lin and Leif.

Don taught in several schools in ND and MN, arriving in Osakis, MN in 1959 where he spent most of his teaching career at Osakis Public School as band director. The whole family was involved in the school and its activities, especially band. The band kids were like an extended family and never lost their importance to Don.

Don was a man of integrity and courage with a simple and practical faith in Jesus. He was a faithful husband who thought he had the most wonderful wife and family in the world. He invested himself richly in his family, having fun with them playing baseball and teaching the boys to hunt, fish, and trap.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the Elim Lutheran Church in Osakis.