Laura Lorraine Engen

VERONA - Laura Lorraine Engen, age 98, of Verona, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Four Winds Manor. She was born on Aug. 9, 1925, in Tomah, the daughter of Jesse and Mary (Helming) Scott. Laura was united in marriage to LaVaughn Engen on June 20, 1943.

Laura grew up on a farm in Tomah, one of seven children. While attending Watermill School, she wrote and illustrated their school paper. She was a lifelong lover of music and as a child she performed operatic productions on her parent’s front porch while enlisting the help of her brother, Ray, to accompany her on pans. Laura loved to draw and saved blank pages and envelopes to sketch on. Her appreciation for art eventually led her to volunteer as a docent at the Chasen Art Museum.

Laura loved her role as mother. She kept a clean and organized home and always had meals on the table for her family. She was an avid reader and had an impressive vocabulary. Laura was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran and the Ruth Circle at church.

Laura is survived by her daughter, Kristy Kay Engen-Riley; son, Craig (Diane) Engen; grandsons, Justin (Kristi) Riley, Dylan Riley, Gary (Sue) Engen Jr., and Jonathan Engen; granddaughter, Heather (Michael) Engen-Brunner; 13 great-grandchildren, Tom, Elaina, Sara, Joe, Caden, Jayden, Trayden, Hayven, Henry, Madeline, Fletcher, Laura Lee and Oliver; great-great-granddaughter, Lilah; and sister, Faye Matzat. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Mary; husband, LaVaughn; son, Gary Engen; brothers, Lyle Scott, Howard Scott and Raymond Scott; sisters, Freda Kanable and Helen Brohmer; and infant sister, Florence.

A memorial service will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 734 Holy Cross Way, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or to a local dementia or Alzheimer organization. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.