Funeral Service for Delores A. Eggen, 89 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with the Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Mona Greseth and soloist will be Kalli Grimsrud. Pallbearers will be Cory Grimsrud, Rick Uhlman, Cody Van Wyk, Cade Van Wyk, William Koeppe, and Jim Westby. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at the Cahill Funeral Chapel from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM with family present from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Delores Audrey Westby was born December 6, 1924, to Arthur and Lena (Peterson) Westby in Bossko Township near New Effington, SD. She attended Hart #3 School through the eighth grade and spent many years caring for her mother, who was an invalid at the time. She married Magnus Otto Eggen on February 2, 1947. They would have two children: Steven in 1949 and Lindsey in 1951. They lived in Sisseton and later on an acreage west of the town. During the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, she worked for several Sisseton businesses, including Stavig Brothers, Woodwards, Gambles, and Red Cross Drug. In 1963, she went to work for the (then) Sisseton Carnegie Library, later the Sisseton Memorial Library, first as the children's librarian and then as the head librarian. While working there, she completed her GED diploma and went on to take numerous classes at Northern State College and the University of Minnesota, Morris. During those years she was often recognized for her excellence in community service. She retired from the library in 1992 after 30 years of service to the community; in recognition of her career achievements, in 1993, she was named Librarian of the Year by the South Dakota Library Association. She remained active in the community, spending several years as a guide/ interpreter at the Nicollet Tower Interpretive Center. She was also active in Grace Lutheran Church, particularly singing in the choir and serving as Sunday School Superintendent. Delores was often asked to sing at weddings and funerals in the community. Magnus passed away in February 21, 2002. She moved into Sisseton in 2003 and then to an assisted living center in Sioux Falls, in 2011. Delores loved baking, gardening, travel, listening to music, sewing, visiting with her grandchildren, and reading, particularly local and area history. Delores passed away on December 30, 2013.
Delores is survived by her son Steven and his wife Melissa of Beresford, South Dakota; daughter Lindsey (Mrs. Richard) Hofer of Surprise, Arizona; one sister, Arlene (Mrs. Oscar) Evenson of Dallas, Oregon; four grandchildren, Christopher Hofer, Noel (Peder) Hansen, Michelle (Chad Lucius) Van Wyk and Kristin (Rick) Uhlman; four great-grandchildren, Ellie Hansen, Cody Van Wyk, Cade Van Wyk, and Joseph Lucius; one sister-in-law, Jeanne Westby and one brother-in-law, Scotty Evenson; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and many friends.
Delores was preceded in death by her beloved husband Magnus, her parents, four brothers, Roy Westby, Kenneth Westby, Ervin Westby and Howard Westby; and three sisters, Irene Laing, Ruby Christensen, and Norma Westby.