Beulah Eggleston

Oconto, NE- Beulah Eggleston, age 82 of Oconto, died Wednesday June 18, 2014 at the Callaway Good Life Center in Callaway, NE. Beulah Marguerite (Martin) Eggleston was born June 11, 1932 to Clifford A. Martin and Leota (Flint) Martin at their family farm south of Sumner, Nebraska. She was raised in the Lomax area between Eddyville and Oconto. She attended Lomax school where she completed the 7th and 8th grade in one year and was moved up a grade. She graduated from Oconto High School in 1949. She then attended college at the Kearney Teacher’s College. She was catcher for Kearney College Women’s softball team. Following college, she taught at a country school, Dawson County District 39, about 2 miles east of Norman Huff’s place on the Dryfork Road. She married Kenneth Lee Eggleston on May 7, 1950. Ken and Beulah had two children; Daniel Lee and Debra Elaine (Mayor). Beulah also cleaned houses, substitute taught for everything from kindergarten teacher to football coach, and was secretary at Oconto Public School for 10 years. In 1965, Ken and Beulah bought a gas station in Oconto, Nebraska which was called Ken’s Service. In 1973, they bought out Wilcox Oil Co. of Oconto and changed the business name to Eggleston Oil Co. Beulah worked at the gas station until she became ill. Beulah was also a member of the Oconto United Methodist Church, Oconto United Methodist Women, serviced as denmother for Oconto Cub Scout Troop; Oconto Lioness Club, Oconto Redhats Club, Oconto Redfern Club, the Order of the Eastern Star Arrow Chapter #164, Tri-county Shrine Auxiliary, Callaway Community Hospital Auxiliary, Red Cross Blood Mobile Volunteer, and Oconto Senior Citizens. She was also among one of the first EMT’s in the Oconto community. Kenneth & Beulah also spent many years organizing Lenten Breakfasts in Oconto. Because of her community involvement, Beulah was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus award by the Oconto Alumni Association in 2011. She enjoyed many hours in her garden and was known for her beautiful roses, and the many woodworking projects that she completed with Ken. She had fond memories of time spent with Jake and Berniece Bomberger and their boys especially deer hunting. She enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also spent many years supporting 4-H by helping her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many others with their projects. Beulah enjoyed fixing meals for her family and her grandchildren always looked forward to her roast beef and chocolate cake. Beulah was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Eggleston; parents Clifford A. and Leota (Flint) Martin; her in-laws Elijah L. and Zelda G. (Hemphill) Eggleston; brother Clifford Martin Jr.; sister-in-law Pearl (Stockham) Martin; infant sister Evelyn Martin; infant brother Richard Martin; sister Ruth (Martin) Magoon; brother-in-law Sidney Magoon; sister-in-law Ella Mae (Eggleston) Casey; brother-in-law Keith Eggleston; brother-in-law Donald Eggleston; and brother-in-law Jim Davis. Survivors include her son Daniel (Sandra) Eggleston of Oconto, daughter Debra Mayor of Broken Bow, grandchildren Derek Eggleston, Jared (Madiera) Eggleston, and Brett Eggleston all of Oconto, Alisha (Dustin) Eberle & Kyle Mayor of Broken Bow, and Erin (Derek) Clem of Lakeville, Minnesota, great-grandchildren Micah, Darius, Cade, Kellen, and Noah Eggleston of Oconto, Ariana and Averyl Eggleston of Amherst, Cameron Eberle of Broken Bow, and one on the way. Sisters Virginia (Virgil) Coryell of Lexington, Bonnie Eggleston and Vi Eggleston of Oconto, Darlene (Verlouis) Forster of Smithfield, brother Roger (Sharon) Martin of Eddyville and a host of nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday June 21, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Oconto Community Building in Oconto with Reverend Doug Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Oconto Cemetery. Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be held Friday 8 AM to 4 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary and Friday evening 6 PM to 8 PM at the United Methodist Church in Oconto. A service for family and friends will be held on Friday evening at 7:30 PM at the United Methodist Church in Oconto. Memorials are suggested to the Oconto United Methodist Church or the Oconto Rescue Squad.