Robert “Bob” Leland Eggen, 95 of McGregor, Iowa passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Great River Care Center in McGregor, Iowa. Robert Leland was born April 19, 1929, to Ernest and Sarah Margaret (Halverson) Eggen of rural McGregor, Iowa and grew up on the family farm in Sny Magill. Bob attended Oakland country school in lower Sny Magill through 8th grade and graduated from McGregor High School with the class of 1947. He proudly joined and served in the United States Army. On September 10, 1955, Bob married Jeanne Davies at First Congregational Church in McGregor, Iowa. Bob and Jeanne had four children. Together, they made their home a gathering place and refuge for extended family and friends over the decades. Bob made a special effort to stay connected with extended family members and to organize an Eggen reunion annually.
Bob worked as a lineman for the Milwaukee Railroad and was the caretaker and sexton at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in McGregor, Iowa for over thirty years. He was a dedicated volunteer for many community organizations, serving for twenty year each on the boards of the McGregor library, McGregor hospital, and Interstate Federal Savings and Loan. In 2006, he received the Governor’s Volunteer Award from the State of Iowa. He was also an active member of the McGregor American Legion serving as Adjunct and Co-commander. Bob was a faithful, lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church where he served for over fifty years on the church council and was heavily involved with building renovation projects and preservation of the Old Norwegian Church. Bob enjoyed singing in the men’s church quartet as well as church choir and helping with bible school music.
Surviving Bob are his four children, Teresa Thostenson of West Des Moines, Iowa, Paul (Marcia Bjornerud) Eggen of Appleton, Wisconsin, Peter (Cari) Eggen of Greenville, Wisconsin and Susan (Tim) Brown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn Kernall of Athens, Georgia and Jerold Davies of Ankeny, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Eggen; parents, Ernest and Sarah Margaret Eggen; grandson, Dawson Brown; son-in-law, Les Thostensen; daughter-in-law, Mari (Abel) Eggen; special companion, Shirley Jensen; brother, Merle (Betty) Eggen; sisters, Gertrude (Don) Everhart and Olga (Ralph) Corlett; and sister-in-law Helen Borcherding.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, November 29, 2024 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in McGregor, Iowa.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at First Lutheran Church Swede Ridge, rural McGregor, Iowa with Rev. Gary Hatcher as the officiant.
A private family inurnment with military rites will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church or the Norwegian Church.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of McGregor, Iowa is assisting the family with services.