Fundraiser to benefit family of man found in submerged vehicle

Family poses together at Christmas. — Nick Engen, left, poses with his family at Christmastime.

By Dispatch staff report

September 30, 2022 at 2:47 PM

BRAINERD — A GoFundMe page was created Friday, Sept. 30, to help the family of Nick Engen, whose body was found Wednesday in a submerged vehicle in West Twin Lake after the 26-year-old was missing for five days.

The fundraiser seeks to help Engen’s family with the financial burden of everything that comes with losing a loved one, the page states.

“This isn't something any family should have to go through, and asking for help isn't something most people ever want to do, but anyone who has lost a loved one unexpectedly knows how difficult everything that follows can be,” according to the GoFundMe. “ … I know not everyone is in the situation to be able to help, and that is ok; please send your prayers and thoughts to Nick's family, and always keep your loved ones close. Words can't describe how hard it is to lose someone unexpectedly, and that is especially true when it is someone so young, with so much life ahead.”

Engen was one of four boys to parents Linda and Jim Engen, the fundraising page states, along with being a nephew, cousin and uncle. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and playing or watching sports, especially hockey.

Visit bit.ly/3dZTmtx to donate to the Engen family.

Engen was reported missing Wednesday morning after he failed to show up for three work shifts. He was last seen leaving a friend’s apartment in Pequot Lakes at 5:20 a.m. Sept. 24 but did not show up for his 6 a.m. work shift that day.

Pequot Police Chief Eric Klang said dispatchers alerted local law enforcement to be on the lookout for Engen’s Ford Fusion after attempts to both call and ping his cellphone were unsuccessful.

Klang decided Wednesday afternoon to follow the route Engen would have driven to work to look for anything suspicious. He noticed vehicle tracks on the side of Highway 371 that appeared to be from a vehicle going down into the ditch. The Crow Wing County Dive Team eventually located the vehicle upside down in about 15-20 feet of water in West Twin Lake. Engen’s body was inside.

By Dispatch staff report

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