Edith A. Egeness

Edith Ann (Jacobus) Egeness, age 98, of Viroqua died Tuesday January 22, 2013 Edith Ann (Jacobus) Egeness, age 98, passed away peacefully in her own home on Tuesday January 22, 2013 with close family beside her. Edith Ann (Jacobus) was born on March 28, 1914 in Jefferson Township, Vernon County to Philip Wilmer Jacobus and Anna Sofia Gyland Thompson. She grew up on their farm on Irish Ridge, helping her father with farm chores and building projects. Edith taught herself how to sew and at a very young age started designing and sewing clothing for her and others. She graduated from Viroqua High School in 1932. After a three year courtship Edith married Herbert Egeness on June 12, 1935. They lived in Viroqua where Herb operated HERBS FRIENDLY SERVICE STATION and Edith raised their three children. Edith was known for her beautiful flower gardens and her talent as a seamstress. She spent countless hours for community service working on money drives for numerous worthwhile causes. She served as a Boy Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, 4-H Leader and Band Mother, personally fitting and altering Viroqua school band uniforms for over 12 years. She has been an active member of Homemakers, Royal Neighbors, Womens Relief Corp., Vernon Center Garden Club, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodge. Edith was awarded the DECORATION OF CHIVALRY in 1975 from the Wisconsin State Odd Fellow organization for "contributing unselfish and outstanding service to a community". At the age of 78, when it was time for most folks to slow down, as she continued to nurture her creative side, she designed and created over 20 queen sized hand appliqued quilts and numerous wall hangings, taking numerous blue ribbons and merit awards at the Vernon County Fair. Throughout her life and especially during these last years, Edith has shown us all how to live life full of service to others, joy and love of life. To the end, as throughout her life, her concerns after the welfare of her family were to share with others her flowers as bouquets,slips, bulbs and roots and all her handmade articles of wall hangings, snowflakes and angels. Edith Egeness is survived by one son, Herbert LaVerne (Jan)Egeness, Woodbury, Mn.,daughter Sharon (Dr. Steven) Solverson, Viroqua, six grandchildren Tanya (Jake) Schmid, Schrier, Switzerland, Daphne Egeness, Sarasota, Florida, Kristine Teghtmeyer, Viroqua, Karen (Dan Shaha) Solverson, Westby , Dr. Karl (Natalie) Solverson, Westby and Elin (Keith) Langley, Oakdale, MN., and six great-grandchildren Zachary , and Thomas Shaha, Emma, Harper & Tenley Solverson, Soren and Sanna Langley and numerous nieces and nephews. Edith was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herbert on April 12, 1982, one son Clayton L. Egeness on February 12, 2012, daughter-in-law Renate (Kissel) Egeness, brothers Stanley and Earl Jacobus and sisters Crystabel Rumppe, Thelma Mydland, Charlotte Helgerson, and Evelyn Georgene Seeger. A memorial service for Edith Egeness will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Monday, February 18, 2013 at 11:00 AM. The Reverend Margaret Eiben Hoversten will officiate with burial in Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11. In lieu of flowers and plants, Edith requested any memorial gifts be made to Vernon Memorial Hospice. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.