Caroline Mae Eigsti of Friend was born Jan. 22, 1930, in Superior, Iowa, to Edwin and Louise (Guge) Lausen, the third youngest of five children. She went to her heavenly home July 9, 2024, at Tabitha the Gardens in Crete.
Caroline met the love of her life, Richard Jess Eigsti, and was united in marriage Aug. 24, 1951, at Estherville, Iowa. After their marriage, Caroline and Richard moved to Friend to start a family. From this union, four children were born: Rodney, Beth, Larry and Kayleen.
Caroline accepted Jesus as her Savior at a young age. She loved the Lord and served Him and others faithfully in the church in many roles, including being the church organist for many years. Caroline loved her family dearly. She lovingly provided total care for her husband, Richard, as he spent his final years at home. Caroline cherished every moment she could spend with her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. She faithfully prayed for each one by name, earnestly and often lifting up their needs. Caroline was a member of the Sunshine Club and the Friend Christian Assembly Church. She was a nursing assistant at the Warren Memorial Hospital for three years.
Music was another one of Caroline’s joys. Along with playing the organ, she loved to play her vibraharp, a unique talent that was especially beautiful when she would play at Christmas time. And to her credit, Caroline’s wonderful songs were all played by ear. Caroline also loved getting out her canvases and painting pictures. Her walls were beautifully decorated with some of her original art. She also enjoyed entertaining in her home. Her special dishes and decorations had to be perfectly arranged to get the look she wanted. In these last several years, Caroline developed a love of coloring with colored pencils in her coloring books. She completed numerous books and so delighted in showing her work and even tearing out finished pages to give to her family.
She is survived by her four children, Rodney (Linda) Eigsti, Friend, Beth (John) Boshart, Grand Island, Larry (Susan) Eigsti, Friend, and Kayleen (Bennett) Roth, Dorchester; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; sister and brothers, Rosemary Browne, Harold Lausen, Ralph Lausen and Dennis Lausen.
A Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, July 17, at 2 p.m. at the Friend Christian Assembly Church with a graveside service at the Andrew Cemetery, Friend. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Friend Christian Assembly Church. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Friend.
