Ennen Repair --   where hard to find, impossible parts are found    by Olivia Richards,  Herman Review    Dale Ennen may be short in stature, but he takes big steps when he's on a mission. Ennen operates Ennen Repair just a block north of Herman's main street. Specifically, he works on pickups and trucks.    He is equipped to replace and repair parts such as clutches, drivelines, brakes, transmissions, and rear-ends on pickups and trucks. He will also work on engines or find a rebuilt engine, although, he says, not much work is needed on engines anymore.    Farmers are required to maintain trucks weighing 57,000 lbs. and under every two years and over this weight they need to be inspected every year, according to mandates suggested by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Ennen will help make repairs to bring the truck up to standards. "The truck should be safe enough for the wife to drive," joked Ennen. Generally speaking, he says, once the truck is brought up to MDOT standards, it's not hard to maintain.    Sometimes parts are hard to get, especially if the vehicle is older. Ennen says he is able to find "hard to find, impossible parts." He has a network he can call, and usually has good results.    Repair work comes to Ennen's shop from a 30-miles radius. However, trade for installation of new truck equipment comes from a larger area, ranging from Thief River Falls to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This includes new truck bodies, boxes, hoists, and axles. Often work is acquired from a mere telephone call, such as a customer from Sioux Falls. Ennen said he did not meet the man until he came to get his truck. The truck was driven to Ennen's shop by someone else.    Ennen is a native of Herman, growing up on a farm about a mile north of town. After graduating from Herman High School he worked at Norcross Co-op Oil for about a year. He then accepted employment at Groth Ford in Herman. Moving on down Highway 9, he stayed nine years as shop supervisor at the Donnelly Co-op. In 1993, he decided to make a change, and started his own business in Herman.    Ennen learned to "tinker" at an early age at his dad's side in the farm shop. Arnold prided himself on maintaining his own equipment. Now the tables are turned, where he comes to town to "tinker" at his son's shop to help where needed.    Ennen went from working on his dad's heavy equipment to smaller vehicles at Groth Ford and at the Donnelly Co-op. However, because of back problems, he found it harder and harder to bend over a smaller vehicle. "It became too confining to work on cars," said Ennen. Working on trucks and pickups has been a good fit for him.    Ennen's two sons are taking an interest in mechanics, much as he did while growing up. Daniel, 17, and Brian, 14, spend time at the shop on weekends. The family lives on a farm near Donnelly that has been in Dale's wife, Jeanne's family for five generations.    Dale is at the shop from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. When he's not working, he likes to spend time with his family.    The phone number at the shop is 320-677-2430.    Back to top of page     Home   Location   Agriculture   Business   Education   Recreation   Churches   City of Herman   Development  History   Keep in Touch   Got Photos?   Herman, USA   Area Links