William "Bill" Engelen

William Henry Engelen,79, of Dakota Dunes, SD passed away peacefully at his home on November 27, 2021.  He passed surrounded by family following a courageous eight-month battle with cancer. 

Bill was an active member of the Siouxland business community.  He owned and operated Hawkeye Distribution, Inc. for over 30 years.  In addition, he was influential in real estate development in the Dakota Dunes area. He built three beautiful homes in the Dunes and was a board member of the Dakota Dunes Country Club for several years.

He enjoyed people and would talk with anyone. He loved Frank Sinatra music on Sunday mornings, watching old western movies and riding around Okoboji in the summers on his bike or taking drives in his car to always, “See what’s going on.” Bill spent most of the last ten years between Okoboji in the summers and Arizona in the winters, where he owned a home in Anthem Country Club. He met many wonderful friends in both places and enjoyed their company immensely. Bill’s favorite hobbies were cycling, golf, and boating on Lake Okoboji.

Bill was a visionary and could see things in real estate-architectural development and in life that others did not. He enjoyed discussing philosophical issues about life and was dedicated to his faith, living his life with that strong foundation.

His greatest joy was his family.  He will be remembered as a loving and positive, great -grandfather, grandfather, father, and husband.

Bill was born November 24, 1942 in Carroll, Iowa to Henry and Clara Engelen.  He married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Pudenz. They shared 59 years of marital blessings. 

Bill is survived by his wife Kathleen (Kathy) of Anthem, AZ and Dakota Dunes, SD; his daughter Lisa (Dr. Steve Ferguson) of Dakota Dunes, SD their three children, Dr. Austin Ferguson (Dr. Jena Ferguson) of Dakota Dunes, SD and their two children Miles and Grace, Dr. Tanner Ferguson (Dr. Kayla Karpuk) of Cleveland, OH, and Taylor Ferguson of Iowa City, IA; son Brian Engelen of Dakota Dunes, SD; daughter Dr. Lucia Welding (Chad) of Dakota Dunes, SD and their three children Dr. Cody Welding of Kansas City, KS, Kelsey Welding of Kansas City, KS, and Jack Welding of New York City, NY; his daughter Sara Lydens (Andy) of Denver, CO with their three children Abigail Lydens of Knoxville TN, Isabella Lydens and Claire Lydens of Salt Lake City, UT; son Dr. Robert Engelen (Dr. Megan Engelen) and their three children Ella, Harrison, and Owen of Salt Lake City, UT.

In addition, he is survived by his brother Marv Engelen and sisters Jan (Denny) Boes and Joyce Baumhover, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Clara Engelen and his sisters, Delores Schultz and Hilaria O’Herron, brother-in law Larry Baumhover and sister -in-law Marihelen Engelen, niece Tammy Schultz and a sister in infancy Mardella Engelen.

A private ceremony was held November 29^th at Sacred Heart Church, officiated by Father Terry Roder and Father Brian Hughes, and attended by his immediate family. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel assisted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dickinson County Trails Association in Bill’s memory.