Shirley Eggen - Brookings

Aug. 24, 1946 - July 5, 2020

Posted

Shirley Eggen, 73, of Brookings, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2020, at her home on Lake Campbell surrounded by her loving family following a courageous battle with cancer.  

A drive through visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2020, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings from 5 until 7 p.m.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting Shirley’s family with arrangements.

Shirley Marie Eggen was born on Aug. 24, 1946, to Vernon and Elizabeth (Peters) Theel, in Brookings, South Dakota.  Shirley grew up primarily in Elkton, however her family moved for short periods of time to Sioux Falls and Litchfield MN before settling in Brookings for her last two years of high school where she graduated in 1965. 

In the summer of 1965 Shirley met Ronald Eggen, and the couple were married on April 1, 1967, at St. Thomas More Church.  Ron and Shirley had two children Robin and Ryan.

Shirley began working at the Brookings Clinic shortly before she met Ron.  In 1974, she began working as a part-time telephone clerk for the City of Brookings.  

In 1979, she began full-time for Brookings Telephone and in 1984 moved to Brookings Utilities as an Accounts Payable Clerk until her retirement on October 31, 2001.

In 1988, Shirley and Ron moved to Lake Campbell.  

Their home on the lake was the gathering place for friends and family, summer weekends were spent on the pontoon or driving the golf cart to visit neighbors on their road.  Shirley and Ron enjoyed more than 20 years of wintering in Mission, Texas.  

Her time in Texas was filled with more friends, family and lots of shopping.

In her spare time she could be found decorating or cleaning their home or shopping in Sioux Falls.  She also spent many days caring for her three grandchildren and eventually her great granddaughter.   

Of all of the interests and enjoyment that Shirley had in life, her family was most important to her.  Shirley deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, and husband, Ron. 

Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Ron Eggen; children: Robin (Tim) Rice, and Ryan (Alisa) Eggen all of Brookings, SD; grandchildren: Maggie McGreevy of Bangor, Maine, Alec and Emma Rice of Brookings, SD; great-grandchild Gabriella Gabel of Bangor, Maine; her sister and best friend Sharon Andersen of Sioux Falls, SD; brother and sister in law, two nieces and two nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and one nephew.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed to:

The Family of Shirley Eggen

C/O Eidsness Funeral Home

1617 Orchard Drive

Brookings, SD  57006