JANELDA RUTH EGGEN
JANELDA RUTH EGGEN
Janelda Ruth Eggen (nee Schultz), 87, of Black River Falls, WI, was welcomed home by her Heavenly Father July 15, 2024, while residing at Pine View Care Center. She was surrounded by family and her pastor who gave a beautiful devotion, sang hymns, prayed and gave the blessing. As Pastor Neumann said, “Amen,” Jan took her final breath and peacefully went home to heaven.
Jan was born Sept. 28, 1936, in Bertha, MN, the daughter of Herbert and Ruth Schultz. She grew up on her grandparents’ farm until she was 10 years old. Her parents bought a farm three miles west of Bertha on the Wing River where she lived with her parents, two sisters, Carol and Joyce, and two brothers, Richard and Eugene, until she graduated from Bertha High School in 1955. Upon graduation, Jan moved to Loveland, CO, to live with her Aunt Lila for a while. A woman of adventure, Jan also worked at Glacier National Park; something she talked about her whole life.
Jan moved to St. Paul, MN, where she went to school to become a keypunch operator. She worked for Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company where she met Jerry Eggen, who would become her husband. Jan also took some schooling to become a nurse’s aide. She worked at Miller Hospital, Mounds Park Hospital, and Regions Hospital, all in St. Paul, MN. Jan was a hard worker and took on several part-time jobs. She delivered local newspapers, neighborhood flyers and telephone books. Jan loved crafts and made and sold flower arrangements and household decor. She was also “famous” for making Jan’s Peanut Brittle which she sold at various locations and also gave as gifts to her children’s teachers and other lucky individuals. Jan also loved art and education. She worked as a tour guide at the James J. Hill House in St. Paul, MN. She was a “Picture Lady” at her children’s school where she would dress up as a different artist each week. Jan would bring in artwork borrowed from the local library to teach students art appreciation.
Jan was a social butterfly. She loved to talk and loved to be with her friends. She was part of Homemakers Club where she met with ladies and took on many projects together. Those ladies remained friends for life.
Throughout Jan’s life, her faith in Jesus as her Savior was evident in all she did. Jan would volunteer her time at church, church school and community organizations. She lived her faith by personally filling 50 boxes a year for Operation Christmas Child. She used her gift of hospitality by inviting people from group homes into her own home for Thanksgiving or Christmas meals. She had a generous spirit, loved deeply, and shared Jesus with anyone she met. Jan brought her children to faith in Jesus and taught them how to pray. Prayer was something Jan continued until her final breath. She knew God loved her and she loved him with her whole being.
Jan married Jerry Eggen May 20, 1961. Together, they had five children, Dean (Karen) Eggen, Carmen (Jim) Herman, Kristen Miller, Troy (Angie) Eggen and one son whom God took care of. Jan also had grandchildren whom she adored: Kyle, Brooke, Forrest, Amelia, Witting, John J, Danielle, and Bryana. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Aiden, Jace, Sadie Mae, Sophia, Maddie Mae, Isabella, Cecilia, Cedar, and Ivie.
Jan and Jerry loved to travel and visited almost all 50 states with their children. They caught Alaska and Hawaii in retirement along with Iceland, Great Britain, Holland, Germany, Austria, Mexico and Canada.
Jan and Jerry also loved to dance and they were good at it. People would stop and watch as the two of them took the floor.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Ruth; sister Joyce; and brother Eugene.
Jan is survived by her loving family, friends, her Pine View caregivers and so many lives God touched through her.
Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and kind words.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of Black River Fall, WI.
The funeral service for Janelda will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, July 26, at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, N6598 County Road A, Black River Falls, WI. A visitation will be held starting at 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow the service in the church hall. The burial will take place after the luncheon at Riverside Cemetery.
Please wear bright, cheerful colors to the funeral. You know Jan would!