Missoula Mayor John Engen dies of pancreatic cancer at 57

MISSOULA (AP) — John Engen, Missoula’s longest-serving mayor, died Monday of pancreatic cancer, city officials said. He was 57.

After winning his fifth term in November 2021, Engen announced in March that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had a tumor on his liver. His death was announced in a news release by city spokesperson Ginny Merriam.

Gwen Jones, president of the city council, has been appointed interim mayor until a new mayor can be chosen, Merriam said.

Engen led with humor, strength and grace, Jones told the Missoulian.

He was “an amazing mayor who brought...