Irvin Fosaaen

     Irvin K. Fosaaen Jr., 76, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 31st, at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Mark Oehlert officiating, followed by a luncheon. Burial will be in Stavanger Cemetery in Ossian, IA, and fellowship at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Monday at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Veterans Memorial Hospital, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stavanger Lutheran Church, or the Waukon Swim Club.

     Irvin Kermit Fosaaen Jr. was born in Decorah, IA, the eldest son of Irvin Kermit Fosaaen Sr. and Marion (Mundt) Fosaaen, and grew up in Ossian, IA. He was baptized and confirmed at Stavanger Lutheran Church, a place that remained meaningful to him throughout his life, and was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. He graduated from South Winneshiek High School and attended Iowa State University. In his college years, he had a summer job selling children’s books and magazines door-to-door, developing sales skills that would shape his future.

     Irv had a lifelong love of sports cars, motorcycles, and most things mechanical. He began his career in automotive repair before entering the powersports industry. In 1975, he and a friend, Paul, opened a dealership in Waukon. He later expanded the business with his business partner and then-wife, Patty, growing it to multiple locations across Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Together, Irv and Patty shared two children, Kris and Blake. At its peak, the business employed over 100 people. His employees were incredibly important to him, one shared, “It was so much more than a job. We had so much fun.” He was active in dealer councils and industry groups for many years and was widely respected for his leadership and sales expertise. He especially valued the time he spent with his children while they worked in the family business.

     Known for his kind, quiet nature, dry sense of humor, and the twinkle in his eye, Irv was an eternal optimist. His love of motorsports extended beyond business; he simply loved to go fast, whether on the road, at the racetrack, or even on roller coasters. He enjoyed traveling with friends and family. Among his most treasured experiences were trips to Europe to ride motorcycles in the Alps, especially those shared with his son Blake. Later in life, he met and married Christine Engstrom. Together they enjoyed travel, laughter, their grandchildren, and many trips to Irv’s favorite place, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He also took great pride in attending his children’s and grandchildren’s athletic and musical events. He enjoyed many Waukon Indians games, as well as professional football and baseball games with his grandsons and son-in-law.

     He is survived by his wife, Christine Engstrom; his two children: Kris (Ben) Rausch and Blake (Melissa) Fosaaen; four grandchildren: Lena, Theo, Jeremiah, and Rosella Rausch; his father-in-law, Duane Engstrom; two brothers: Stan (Bach) Fosaaen and Randy (Jane) Fosaaen; three brothers-in-law: Dave Schulz, Peter (Carole) Engstrom, and Rolf Engstrom; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was previously married to Patty Nordheim. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Marion Fosaaen; three sisters: Lynn Fosaaen, Nancy Fosaaen, and Sandy Schulz; and his mother-in-law, Marlene Engstrom.