Donald John Engelkes, age 90 of Tracy, MN, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2026 at Tracy Lutheran Church, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Tracy City Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Donald John Engelkes was born in Worthington, Minnesota on June 25, 1935 to John Engelkes and Helen (Karstens) Engelkes, and was baptized in the Christian faith. As a child, he attended school in Worthington, Rushmore country school, Westbrook, and then Slayton. When growing up, he enjoyed participating in baseball, football, basketball, fishing and being on the water – most often Lake Shetek. As a freshman in Slayton, he was a starter on the “A” squad. In 1960, he and his parents moved to Tracy where they started and owned & operated the Red Owl store on Highway 14. It was there and at the bank where Don met his future wife, Carolyn. He and Carolyn Anderson were married at Tracy Lutheran Church on September 16, 1961. To this union, 2 sons were born. From 1963 until 1973, Don and Carolyn started and owned “Don’s Produce” which bought local farmers’ eggs. The business later expanded to other laying houses in the area. During this time he even took up snowmobiling with his buddies. In February 1973, they became owners of the Red Rooster Restaurant which would span over the next 30+ years. That became a main part of their lives where again, customers and the many employees also became friends. During that time they purchased a small cabin on Lake Sarah which they still own and enjoy today with their growing family. Through the years, Don spent a lot of time driving the boat as his sons, their friends, wife Carolyn and grandchildren learned how to water ski. For a few summers he played on a horseshoe league and also, with the help of other team members, helped construct the current horseshoe courts. At the age of 65, a good friend introduced him to the game of golf, which became a passion for him. This passion has been passed down to some of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He spent many days on the golf course, not only playing very well, but getting acquainted with many fellow golfers. In July 2005, he even made a “hole in one!” He loved to shoot trap and was a lifelong member of the Tracy Sportsman Club. He attended many ATA shoots and won many awards. Another game he loved was poker. For over 45 years he enjoyed a weekly get-together with a small group of his friends who also enjoyed the same. He enjoyed living on the small acreage just out of town and where his boys grew up. He loved keeping the yard mowed and having all the family gather there for whatever the occasion might be. Don loved his family and was always concerned about their safety and wellbeing. A regular exiting conversation was “Did you check your oil and are all the tires up? Hook your seatbelt!” He enjoyed telling the family stories about his interesting and sometimes dangerous escapades he did in his younger days. For the last several years, the highlight of the week was to watch the Saturday night music line up on RFD TV. It was at his home that his family celebrated his 90th birthday in June 2025. In February 2026, Don entered the Prairie View nursing home. He passed away there on May 5, 2026.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sons: Brian (Roxy) Engelkes of Zimmerman and Kevin (Linda) Engelkes of Tracy; 5 grandchildren: Keith (Amy) Engelkes of Tracy, Brandon (Ari) Engelkes of Tracy, Bailey (Christian) Benolkin of Coon Rapids, Taylor (Tavis) Bergmann of Long Prairie, Brennan Engelkes of Zimmerman; 11 great grandchildren: Caroline, Leena & Noah Engelkes, Kimber Oines, Nash & Ella Engelkes, Stella, Adaline & Vivian Benolkin, Sophia & Jayden Bergmann; and many nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Helen, father- and mother-in-law Ted and Clara Anderson, sister Arlyss (John) Post, brother-in-law Tom Anderson, sister-in-law Edith (Loren) Schmidt, and many golfing, trapshooting, and card playing friends.
We will miss you, Papa Don!
Don will be lovingly remembered by all those who had the chance to know him.
