John Kenneth Eggen

John Kenneth Eggen, age 92, of Elk River, MN, and formerly of Willmar, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 20, 2024. He was born in Minneapolis, MN on December 15, 1932 to Kenneth and Eleanor (Bostrom) Eggen.

John was baptized on April 9, 1933 at Zion Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on May 25, 1947 at Salem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

John graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis with the class of 1950. He proudly served in the US Army in Korea from 1951 until 1954.

On October 10, 1959, John Eggen and Marlys Knop were united in marriage.

He worked as a dental technician for many years making crowns and bridges until his retirement. John was past president of the Minnesota Dental Lab Association. He was also a scout leader for 20 years; a member of the Plymouth Park Board; Chairman of the Ducks Unlimited, West Central Chapter; Elder and Stephen Minister at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar; Willmar American Legion Post 167 and 40&8 member, where he always helped with the spring omelet breakfasts; Elk River American Legion Post 112 member.

John was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, duck hunting and deer hunting. He also spent time gardening, traveling and was an excellent card player especially cribbage, smear and five-hundred. He was very artistic at work, and for fun liked to doodle and freehand draw. While John seemed stoic on the outside, he had a soft heart and was fun loving.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Eleanor Eggen; sister, Marie Botko; and brother-in-law, Jerry Knop.

John is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Marlys Eggen of Elk River, MN; sons, David Eggen, Daniel (Tracy) Eggen of Otsego, MN, Philip (Beth) Eggen of Geneva, IL; grandsons, Boyd and Bramlett; sister-in-law, Pearl Knop; nieces and nephews, Lisa, Libbi, Kevin, Neil, Debra, Pamela, Sheila, Nancy; and many great-nieces and great-nephews, family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s name are preferred to St. John Lutheran Church in Nowthen, MN.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at St. John Lutheran Church, 9231 Viking Blvd NW, Elk River, MN. Burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralhome.com.

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