Marjorie “Anne” Brunton Engen

Marjorie “Anne” Brunton Engen, of Hawley MN, 80, died on Friday February 25, 2022, at Essentia Hospital. Anne was born on July 5, 1941, in Walla Walla Washington. She attended Walla Walla High School and earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. at Washington State University. In 1960 she married Bill Brunton and together they had 3 children, Kris, Erik, and Heather.  Anne married Vernon Engen in 1994.

Anne touched the lives of thousands of students by challenging them to think about the world in different ways during her 30 years as an anthropology professor at MSUM. Following her retirement in 1999, Anne devoted her time and energy to her other passions, her family, gardening, knitting, and taking care of her puppies.

A unique soul, Anne will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her. Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Marjorie Moffitt. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Vernon; 3 children, Kris (Kip) Vossler of Dilworth, Erik Brunton of Moorhead, and Heather (Kevin) Shimek of Grand Forks; 5 grandchildren, Jake (Kirby) Vossler, Kelsey Vossler, Alex (Jessalinn) Shimek, Dillon Shimek, and Brooke (Steve) Grey; 7 great-grandchildren, Kellen, Malachi, and Idella Vossler, Briar and Harlen Vossler, and Daxon and Novaleigh Shimek; 1 sister, Joan Grommet; and 3 nephews, Michael (Debbie) Dickson, Steven (Annel) Dickson, and Raymond Dickson.

A celebration of Anne’s life will be held at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN, at 11:00 on Thursday, March 3, with visitation starting at 10:00.

Interment will be held at a later date.