Caledonia Argus

Benefit lunch and auction to assist Meyer and Engan families

Posted: 10/8/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

Lions Clubs in three communities have come together to organize a benefit for two victims of a tragic accident in May. Proceeds from the benefit will go to Kermit Meyer, who was injured, and the family of Ernie Engan, who died in the accident.

Meyer and Engan were working at the Wayne Houdek farm on May 28 when a concrete wall collapsed on them. The wall measured ten feet high, thirty feet long, and was eight inches thick; authorities estimated that the wall weighed ten tons. The weight of the backfill behind the wall is believed to have caused the collapse.

Engan died at the scene and Meyer was transported to Gunderson Medical Hospital by Med-Link helicopter, where tests revealed that he had a broken femur, a broken pelvis, and internal injuries.

Ernie Engan, who was 19 years old at the time of the accident, had been working for Kermit Meyer Construction for only a month prior to May 28. Heíd graduated from Caledonia High School in 2001 and was considering attending college in La Crosse in order to become a teacher. He served as a mentor to his siblings Kevin and Allie and was described by family members as ìthe sunshine that made us laugh.î

Meyer is still recovering from the accident. He had surgery on his femur bone on September 25, and he still has a few more minor surgeries to undergo in the near future. His hip continues to cause him pain, and he uses a walker to move around. He looks forward to getting out of the house and working again, but realizes this is still a ways off, noting that ìitíll be a while before Iím physically able to work an eight-hour shift again.î

The road to recovery has been long. painful, and costly, and Meyer is grateful to the many people in the community that have lent a helping hand thus far.

ìI appreciate what everybody has done for me,î he said. ìPeople in this community have been really generous and there definitely have been a lot of nice things done.î

Half the money derived from the November 3 benefit will go toward assisting Meyer and his family with ongoing medical costs. The other funds will be donated to the Engan family and used toward the education of Ernieís siblings, Kevin and Allie.

The benefit lunch and auction is scheduled for November 3 at the Fest Building in Spring Grove. It is sponsored by the Caledonia, Eitzen, and Spring Grove Lions Clubs, as well as by AAL Branch 1680, who will provide matching funds.

ìThe reason for doing the benefit is to help both families get through a very tragic accident,î said Lions Club member Lloyd Swalve. ìThe Meyer and Engan families are well known in this community, and the goal of the benefit is to help out fellow community members. Itís nice when several organizations pool their time and talents for the benefit of somebody elseî

ìWe look forward to a good turnout,î Swalve added. ìOur experience has been that communities have really responded to benefits for somebody in need.î

On the day of the benefit, November 3, lunch will be served starting at 10:30 a.m. and will consist of roast pork, potato chips, potato salad, and bars and cookies. There is no set price for the lunchñ attendees are asked to make a free will offering. The live auction will begin at 1 p.m.

Individuals may donate items to the auction between October 28 and November 1 at the KQYB radio office in Spring Grove, Community First Bank in Caledonia, and Eitzen State Bank in Eitzen. Items may also be brought to the Fest Building the day of the sale up until sale time.

Cash and check donations may be mailed to Eitzen State Bank. All cash and check donations are tax deductible.

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