By Edward Lynn
Editor
This week’s issue of the Eagle Grove Eagle has a major, if indiscernible difference which has left the staff of Mid-America Publishing and Printing, including the local staff here in Eagle Grove, with heavy hearts.
Every week for many years every issue of the Eagle, and all the other newspapers printed by Mid-America covering much of north Iowa, have been printed under the watchful eye and careful hand of veteran Pressman Mike Enzenauer, Mid-America’s long time Head Press Operator.
Sadly, that era has ended with the untimely passing of Enzenaur, due to complications from diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, according to Mid-America CEO Matt Grohe, who tearfully paid tribute to Enzenauer in a company-wide conference call last Wednesday, following Enzenauer’s death over the weekend.
Enzenauer was an expert Pressman, competent in operating the most modern printing technologies as well as the legacy, ‘they don’t make ’em like they used to’ printing presses, such as the one that printed the paper in many of your hands, as you read this. And luckily for communities across north Iowa, he took care to teach his craft to his subordinates, who have carried on printing this, and 17 more local newspapers in his stead.
According to a comment posted by his sister Donna Enzenauer Bolton of Meansville, Georgia, Mike was a second generation printer, having followed in his father’s footsteps. “He worked hard and put his life into his job,” Enzenauer Bolton wrote, ” noting that we at Mid-America were “blessed to have him through the years.” We whole-heartedly agree.
Mike Enzenauer was a rare example of a dying breed of Pressman, an experienced, talented, consummate printing professional. And with over ten thousand local newspapers having closed around the United States over the past decade or so, and many others moving to digital publishing only, they don’t make ’em like Mike anymore either. But thanks to his tutelage, he wasn’t the last of his kind.
Rest in peace, Mike. You are missed.
