Bessie Eggleston

She loved her chickens, she loved her sheep, she loved her family. She taught scores of children to love the natural world. She took in injured birds and nursed them back to health and found joy in apple blossoms, and she would have smiled to know she died at the spring equinox, the season of rebirth. Bessie Lois McGwin Eggleston died in the early morning hours of Friday, March 21, 2014 at age 101. Bessie was born to Samuel and Lena McGwin on the family farm south of Montello on January 6, 1913. She attended the one-room Riverside School in the Town of Buffalo, and then graduated from Montello High School. She became a teacher and taught at Hull School, then at Riverside School.

Bessie married Reginald Eggleston on June 15, 1936 and they moved to West Allis where Bessie, during WWII, worked in the Allis Chalmers plant producing superchargers. According to the book The Army Air Force in World War II, superchargers were actually jet engines called superchargers for security reasons. Bessie earned a meritorious service badge for her work and was the only woman who achieved the status of procurement inspector who could work in any plant in the country that produced the superchargers. Articles in the war time procurement district newspaper featured the work done by the AAF (Army Air Force) "girls" at the Supercharger Works at Allis Chalmers.

After the war, the young couple returned to Marquette County and farmed on County Road F. Bessie's beloved Reggie died in her arms in the milk house in 1963 from a heart attack. Forever a strong and independent woman, Bessie returned to school to earn her bachelor's degree from UW-Stevens Point and taught elementary school in Montello until retirement.

Bessie was active in her community and was on the Montello School Board, an active member of the Buffalo Church, a 4H leader for many years and a Literacy Volunteer at the Oxford Federal Correctional Institution. She is survived by nephews Ken (Julie), John (Sally) and Tim (Pauli) McGwin and nieces Sharon (Jerome) Herrick, Kathleen McGwin and Judy McGwin as well as great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brothers Howard (Ferol), Hugh (Marcella), Lyle and Leslie, sister Blanche (Henry) Thompson, niece Penny McGwin as well as many dear friends. For the past 13 years, Bessie was cared for at Joanie's Home, now Golden Years. The family appreciates the gentle and attentive care she received. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Literacy Volunteers Marquette County PO Box 671 Montello, WI 53949.

Bessie McGwin Eggleston loved her dogs, loved her land, and loved helping others, especially children. As a young teacher, she compiled a hand written note book she labeled "Memory Verses." The first entry reads, "Heaven is not gained by a single bound, but that we build the ladder by which we rise; and we mount to its summit round by round, from the lovely earth to the vaulted skies." Her ladder has taken her to heaven.

A funeral service for Bessie will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Montello. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Pastor Ron Larson will preside and burial will follow at the U.P. Cemetery, town of Buffalo.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Funeral Service
Tuesday, March 25, 2014