Gloria Rae Eggen, 73, Ada, MN, passed away with her family by her side at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, on Thursday, January 27, 2022, after her long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Gloria was born on December 7, 1948, in Jamestown, ND, to Charles and Leona Lawrence. She was the youngest of five children. Gloria spent most of her childhood in Jamestown before moving to Minot, ND, where she graduated from high school in June of 1966. After high school, she moved to the east coast and was married briefly to George Blanchard. After George’s death, Gloria, Bryan, and Jason moved to Ada, Minnesota to live with her sister Phyllis and family.
Shortly after moving to Ada, Gloria met the love of her life, Michael Eggen. Some would call it love at first sight. On May 16, 1974, Gloria and Michael were united in marriage. They planned for a small ceremony but were surprised by 40 family and friends who came to show their support. They built their home in rural Ada and would add two more sons, Michael Jr and Aaron, to the family.
Gloria’s greatest joy was becoming a grandma in the summer of 1993, and she cherished each additional grandchild with the same joy and excitement. Gloria loved having the grandchildren over and baking with them. Sprinkles would be everywhere, and she never minded.
Gloria loved sewing, baking birthday cakes, having coffee with the area neighbors and FSA ladies, and being a grandma at the school. One of her greatest adventures was traveling to China with her niece Shelly for the adoption of her great-niece.
In the Summer of 2006, Gloria was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and would stay in her home until May of 2012, when she then moved into Bridges Care Community in Ada. In July of 2016, she moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls where she would continue to live until her death.
She will forever be remembered as a caring and kind wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.
Gloria is survived by her husband of 47 years, Michael Eggen; her sons, Jason (Jen) Eggen, Michael Jr (Brianna) Eggen, and Aaron (Aimee) Eggen, all of Ada; grandchildren, Kellie, Heidi (Tanner), Summer (Theo), Brandon, Brent, Destiny, Audrina, Payton, and Mavrik; great-grandchild, Khloe; siblings, Jerry McCormick, Bismarck, ND, Phyllis Nitschke, Ada, MN, Joanne Cichos, Bismarck, ND, and Gary Lawrence, Upton, WY; sister-in-law, Janet (Kenny) Sargent, Ada; and brother-in-law, Kevin Thoen, Moorhead, MN.
Gloria was proceeded in death by her parents, Charles & Leona Lawrence; husband, George; son, Bryan Eggen; grandson, Duke Eggen; and sister-in-law, Karen Thoen.
The family of Gloria Eggen wants to send a special thank you to everyone who has helped take care of her over the years, especially her friends, family, and the staff at Bridges Care Community and Minnesota Veterans Home.
Funeral: 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.
Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service on Monday, February 7, 2022, at the church.
Interment: Petri Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ada, MN.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com
Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes
Ada & Halstad, Minnesota
