Thomas Eager

Thomas Lorin Eager was born on December 13, 1938 to Margret (Boor) and Loren Eager, in Madelia. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary''s Church. Tom was always so proud that his family was one of the first settlers of the Village of Madelia; he always said that Flanders started the village and Eagers helped them move in. Tom graduated from Madelia High school in 1956 and went to a one year trade school for car body parts. He created a car for himself that had no handles to open the doors. He enlisted himself in the army in 1957 and served for three years in Germany. He returned to Madelia and then headed out to California with some of his buddies. In 1960 Tom wandered back to Madelia and married Gloria Harris on July 29, 1961 at St. Mary''s Church. They shared 10 years of living in California where their children were born. Then in 1971 they moved back to Madelia to enroll their children in the Madelia school district. Tom was a diesel mechanic for many years for CF in California and Chesley''s in Mankato until Marland Haugen hired him to doctor his fleet of trucks. From there he ventured into the world of trucking and owned seven trucks. After his trucking adventure ended he had his own diesel mechanic shop and was well known for his advice over the telephone to fix trucks. In later years after his retirement, he drove school bus for the Madelia Bus Service and Champlin Bus Service and hosted with his wife, the Madelia Campground. Tom is a member of the American Legion and served as past commander and most recently appointed to serve on the bar board for the second time. His favorite topic of conversation was the history of Madelia. Tom knew so many people, where they lived and who built the house. Some of the stories would start groans from his children, but they always knew that he was connected to Madelia in a very special way of remembering the community''s history. He also had a quick mind and wit and loved practical jokes. Left to mourn his passing, Gloria his wife of 52 years, his daughter Johanna (Jill), John (Jen, his two favorite grandchildren, Dalton and Brandon Eager, his sister-in-law, Arlene Eager and a whole bunch of nieces and nephews. Tom believed in family. Those who went before him, his parents, his three siblings, Evelyn (Bill) Buckley, Leonard Eager and Howard (Marcy) Eager and two infant children. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sunday, August 18, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel 303 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Monday, August 19, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel 303 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Service Information 10:30 am Monday, August 19, 2013 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Madelia 19 Crosby Ave. NE Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery, Madelia East, Co. Hwy 3 Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062