Rhoda Joan “Joni” Eggerss was born on October 16, 1934, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Frank James and Viola Genevieve (Price) Miner. She was baptized and later confirmed her faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Boomer Township. Joni graduated from Beebeetown High School with the class of 1952. She went on to work at Council Bluffs Savings Bank for two years to earn enough money to attend Iowa State in Ames for one year. While there, she studied interior design and also dedicated her time working in administration at Beardshear Hall. She then returned to her role at the bank, where she created cherished memories with her friends and roommates Sally Christensen and Dottie Makinson.
While roller skating with these friends, Joni met Ralph Eggerss, who would become the love of her life. While Ralph served in the Army, the two of them wrote frequent letters, and their relationship grew. After he returned to the States, Ralph would often drive his farm straight truck to pick up Joni for their dates. On February 3, 1957, Joni married Ralph at First Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. They were blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Michelle. Joni found immense joy in being a stay-at-home mom and helping Ralph on the farm. She devoted herself to raising her children with love and care.
Family memories were made during ski trips, snowmobiling out West, and traveling around the United States, Canada, and Europe. In later years, Ralph and Joni added an RV to their travel adventures, even driving twice to Alaska. They could often be seen walking a trail hand-in-hand.
In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Joni had a variety of interests and hobbies. She enjoyed sewing beautiful matching clothes for her daughters and sometimes herself. Joni took pleasure in playing piano, embroidering and quilting, and baking delicious desserts. She will be dearly missed for her homemade rolls, old-fashioned fudge, and delectable raisin cream pie that left mouths watering and hearts full. Many neighbors will remember her monster cookies, which she handed out to trick-or-treaters. Her love for playing Pinochle was well-known among her friends, who shared countless laughter-filled moments at the Cornstalk and Corncrib restaurants. Joni had a green thumb and took great pride in nurturing her beautiful flower garden, as well as growing onions, sweet corn, strawberries, and picking apples to make homemade applesauce.
Joni was involved in various community activities, including the Sunshine Circle/Women of the Word, altar guild, Silver Creek Social Society, and Garden Club. Joni also served as the co-treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her commitment and service were firm until she could no longer actively participate.
Joni loved decorating and preparing for holidays, cherishing every moment while creating lasting memories with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Joni was always very positive and made friends easily. Her strong faith in God was very evident by the way she lived.
Joni went to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan at the age of 89 years, nine months, and one day. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Allen Eggerss.
Joni is survived by two daughters, Kathy (Doug) Applegate of Oakland and Michelle (Ron) Altenburg of Appleton, Wisconsin; four grandchildren: Brent (Brittany) Applegate, Luke (Kate) Applegate, Jenifer Smith (fiancé, Fabian Arellano) and David Smith (girlfriend, Sonoma Brill); five great-grandchildren: Tristan, Paisley, Eleanor, Edith and Joel Applegate; brother, Dennis (Elvia) Miner of Appleton City, Missouri; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation with Family Greeting Friends will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at the United Lutheran Church in Shelby. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024, also at the United Lutheran Church in Shelby with interment to follow in the Shelby Cemetery.
Joni’s family treasures the many expressions of love and sympathy and support.
