BELOVED HUSBAND, FATHER, AND BEST FRIEND,

DAVID LOREN EGGEN of MOOSE LAKE, MN, passed away on April 2, 2024, at the Silver Bay Veteran's Home at the age of 89 from Parkinson's Disease. Dave was born December 26th, 1934, in Minneapolis, MN, to Owen and Lorna (Juul) Eggen. At the age of 5, Dave was taller than his kindergarten teacher! From early on, he was a strong Viking, proud of his Norwegian heritage. He graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis in 1952. He soloed at his graduation by playing "Dark Eyes" on his trombone with his eyes CROSSED! He always had quite the sense of humor! He attended Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, for two years, where he met his wife, Barbara Martin. He was named "Mr. Touchdown" by his football team. He joined the army in 1955 and was deployed to Germany for three years. He married Barbara while on leave in Minneapolis on August 23, 1955. She joined him in Germany shortly thereafter, and they had their first child, Dawn Amber Eggen, in 1956. They continued to live in Germany and traveled to many countries in their little Volkswagon until Dave's tour of Duty ended, and they returned to Minneapolis.  In 1961, Dave earned his BS in Forestry with honors from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. He was then awarded a scholarship to attend Yale University but decided to work as a forester for the U.S. Forest Service in Medford, Wisconsin. He moved up to Assistant Ranger in 1964 in Park Falls, Wisconsin. That same year, he was promoted to District Manager for the Isabella District in Minnesota. In this place, he made many memories with his children, hiking, teaching them about the forest, and letting them join him when climbing fire towers! In 1966, we bought our first home in Two Harbors, where he worked for the DNR. In 1972, he moved his family to Moose Lake, MN. He and two partners built a sawmill in Sturgeon Lake called Arrowood Inc. Later that year, David used his expertise to streamline operations as the General Manager of the J.C. Campbell Company in Two Harbors, MN, increasing productivity in the logging and sawmill operations. Later, in 1972, he became the Resource Manager for Continental Western Insurance Company in Ashland, WI, and managed the sawmill division again. In 1973, he founded Woodland Services, Inc. Barbara, his wife, was the bookkeeper, and many of his children have fond memories of long summer days working alongside their dad in the forest. As president of Woodland Services, he employed around 50 people, including many local college kids. Many of these students became successful doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, computer scientists, and many other professions. David's company also employed those with disabilities, and the down and out. Many of these individuals are still in contact with Dave's family. Dave always had a heart for those less fortunate, spending time in his elder years leading a Bible study in the men's prison in Moose Lake. Dave's last career move was starting a new company, Mud Creek Enterprises Inc., and he worked for several years for the DNR writing land management plans.

David loved to ski and was a Spirit Mountain Ski Patrol member for years. He took his family several times to the Bahama Islands. He drove a stocked ambulance to Mexico to donate to a community in need. He canoed the Boundary Waters, hunted white-tail deer and partridge, carved signs, adopted a highway, and played his banjo in the "Flambeau Ramblers" band.  He received many awards throughout the years, traveling to Sweden and other parts of our country. He taught classes at the U of M and served as a docent for the Duluth Zoo. Barb and Dave had many adventures on their Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, switching to a tandem bike as they got older. From the time he was small until his last breath, Dave had a strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and though it may have faltered at times through struggles and hardships, he remained a devoted Christian man, teaching youth groups and adult Sunday school and, of course, his children.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Donald (Evelyn), Thomas (Polly), Judith, and his son, Leif Eggen. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, his five children: Dawn, Bryn, Starr (Albert), Erik (Deb), Gay, and Leif's wife, Michelle; 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren; in-laws Chris, Robert, Margie, Terry, Janis, and many nieces and nephews and friends. We wish to thank Silver Bay Veterans Home and Hospice for the wonderful care he received for the five years and six months he was there.

Memorial Services SATURDAY, JULY 13, 2024, at MOOSE LAKE COVENANT CHURCH- 700 5th Street Moose Lake, MN. Visitation at 11 AM, Service at noon. Lunch served at 1 PM.

Arrangements made by Hamlin Hansen Kosloski Funeral Home of Moose Lake, MN

Military Funeral Honors at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery July 15, 2024, at 10:45 am 4777 Hwy 53 Saginaw, MN