Career
A resident of Willmar, Minnesota, Engan is a former She served as chair of the old 2nd Congressional District DFL from 1989 to 1997, succeeding longtime chair Harold Windingstad. The sprawling district encompassed southwestern Minnesota, and included all or portions of 31 counties. Prior to being elected chair, she had served as associate chair of the district from 1983 to 1989.
In addition to her activism in congressional district politics, Engan was also involved at the state and national level
She was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984 and 2000, and also attended the 1996 convention as a DFL official Minge later honored Engan by entering official remarks into the Congressional Record thanking her for her service to the DFL and the congressional district, and for her valued counsel and advice to him as a candidate and congressman.
Engan opted not to run for re-election as chair of the congressional district in 1997. She was later honored by the state party as a “woman of distinction,” and was inducted into the Minnesota DFL Women's Hall of Fame.
In 2004, she served as a co-chair of the John Kerry for President organization in Minnesota.