Obituary for Gary A. Enger
Gary passed away surrounded by family, on February 16, 2019 in Mesa, AZ at the age of 88.
Memorial services were held at 11:00 am. on Saturday, July 20th, 2019 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel with Pastor Chon Pugh officiating. David Sietsema as the soloist accompanied by Marcia Jelsma.
Burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery with Military honors conducted by Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion in Watetown and United States Navy Reserve Members.
Gerald “Gary” Alvin Enger was born February 6, 1931 to Alvin P. and Gladys A. (Rikke) Enger at Granite Falls, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, Minnesota. After high school, Gary continued his education by attending St. Cloud Tech School in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
He served in the United States Navy from 1948 till 1950 when he was honorably discharged. Gary married Mattie Sietsema on July 16, 1949 in Kingsland, Georgia. The couple moved to Watertown, South Dakota in 1958. Gary was employed as a bricklayer by Schull Construction, Gray Construction, then formed Kraft and Enger Masonry. For the remainder of his working career, Gary was self-employed as a mason contractor. When the couple retired they purchased a winter residence in Arizona while continuing to spend summers traveling in their RV with their Winnebago Club, the Ringneck Winnies.
Gary enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, playing cards, gardening and traveling with Mattie.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, American Legion, Bricklayers Local #5 and the Winnebago Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Floyd, and a brother, Alden.
Gary is survived by his wife, Mattie of Watertown; his children, Sheila (Jim) Coleman of Mesa, AZ, Diane (Orville) Creighton of Grand Junction, CO, Vicki (Kevin) Neuheisel of Brandon, SD, Daniel (Julie) Enger of Bremerton, WA and Mary (Curt) Heimark of Tea, SD. He is survived by his sister, Mavis (Archie) Larson of Waconia, MN; 14 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 202 2nd St SE, Watertown, SD 57201 or Bethlehem Lutheran, 2745 N 32nd St, Mesa, AZ 85213.
Memorial services were held at 11:00 am. on Saturday, July 20th, 2019 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel with Pastor Chon Pugh officiating. David Sietsema as the soloist accompanied by Marcia Jelsma.
Burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery with Military honors conducted by Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion in Watetown and United States Navy Reserve Members.
Gerald “Gary” Alvin Enger was born February 6, 1931 to Alvin P. and Gladys A. (Rikke) Enger at Granite Falls, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, Minnesota. After high school, Gary continued his education by attending St. Cloud Tech School in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
He served in the United States Navy from 1948 till 1950 when he was honorably discharged. Gary married Mattie Sietsema on July 16, 1949 in Kingsland, Georgia. The couple moved to Watertown, South Dakota in 1958. Gary was employed as a bricklayer by Schull Construction, Gray Construction, then formed Kraft and Enger Masonry. For the remainder of his working career, Gary was self-employed as a mason contractor. When the couple retired they purchased a winter residence in Arizona while continuing to spend summers traveling in their RV with their Winnebago Club, the Ringneck Winnies.
Gary enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, playing cards, gardening and traveling with Mattie.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, American Legion, Bricklayers Local #5 and the Winnebago Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Floyd, and a brother, Alden.
Gary is survived by his wife, Mattie of Watertown; his children, Sheila (Jim) Coleman of Mesa, AZ, Diane (Orville) Creighton of Grand Junction, CO, Vicki (Kevin) Neuheisel of Brandon, SD, Daniel (Julie) Enger of Bremerton, WA and Mary (Curt) Heimark of Tea, SD. He is survived by his sister, Mavis (Archie) Larson of Waconia, MN; 14 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 202 2nd St SE, Watertown, SD 57201 or Bethlehem Lutheran, 2745 N 32nd St, Mesa, AZ 85213.