Don Lewis Engebretson, 91, a retired electrician for ASARCO and lifelong Mullan resident, passed away Dec. 9, 2011, at the Silver Wood Good Samaritan Center in Silverton.

Don was born Aug. 10, 1920, on his maternal grandparents farm in Belknap, Mont., to Alice (Disbrow) and Lewis Engebretson. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie; one son, Wayne Olkonen; a sister, Peggy Summerkamp; and two brothers, Thor and Anker Engebretson.

Don attended public school in Mullan, graduating from Mullan High School in 1938. After high school, he worked at various mines in the Silver Valley. During World War II Don was called to active duty in 1943 and took his basic training at Camp Hale, Colo., for Company D 86th Infantry 10th Mountain Division. He was stationed in the Northern Apennines in Italy.

After his discharge from the service, Don returned to Mullan and he married Nadine Almquist in 1946 in Superior, Mont., and they had three daughters Vonnie, Kris and Terri; they later divorced in 1954. Don worked at the Morning Mine and then the Galena Mine, with most of his career spent at the Galena. He took correspondence courses and obtained his journeyman electrician standing in 1960.

He married Marie Olkonen on Nov. 15, 1958, and between the two of them, they raised nine children, all in Mullan, with most raised in the house on High Boulder.

Don is survived by his and Marie's children: Vonnie Pemble of Pinehurst, Kris and Gary Garitone of Mullan, Terri and Mike Dexter of Wallace, Keith and Jean Olkonen of Port Orchard, Wash., Mark and Billie Olkonen of Bremerton, Wash., Mickey Olkonen of Mullan, Kay Payton of Emmett, and Karol and Mark Lindstrom of Mullan; one sister, Alice "Cis" Smith of Coeur d'Alene; 21 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family suggests that memorials may be made in Don's name to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mullan; Silver Wood Good Samaritan Center, P.O. Box 358, Silverton, ID; Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way Hayden, ID 83835; or to Shoshone Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 884, Kellogg, ID.

You may sign Don's online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.