Douglas Paul Eggebraaten

Douglas Eggebraaten, age 73, of Rutland, died Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at his home. Services will be 11:00 am, Wed., at Grace Lutheran Church in Nunda. Visitation is 5-7 pm, Tuesday at Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison. Burial will be at Lake Park Cemetery near Wentworth.

Doug Eggebraaten was born on April 7, 1950, to Orville “Dude” and Zelda (Thode) Eggebraaten. He attended Rutland High School, graduating in 1968. Doug married Eleanor Wagner on April 7, 1972, at Bethel Lutheran Church, Rutland.

Doug served the state of SD working for the DOT for 40 years. He famously told the stories of building Interstate 29 between Brookings and Summit. His stories about building the interstate, and about his youth, never fell short of being captivating, they would keep anyone on the edge of their seat. Doug was most known for his fishing adventures. His favorite lake to fish was Lake Sinai. He also made a trip up to Canada where he caught more walleye than he ever imagined.

Ellie passed away in 2013, there was not a day that Doug did not miss her. He would tell countless stories of their adventures, between their younger days and raising their children, there was enough to write a book about. Ellie’s birthday is December 1st, Doug will be able to celebrate it with her again now. Doug and Ellie would try out camping early on in both of their children’s lives. Simply trying it out in tents would grow to a lifelong hobby of camping all over SD and the rest of the country. Doug’s children and grandchildren still carry this love for camping.

Doug grew up in Rutland, SD and it was where he lived out his life. Doug’s love for Rutland is encapsulated in his words “Rutland is God’s country.” He would help mow lawns in Rutland to keep it looking nice, he helped out at the school by being a custodian, and he would invite anyone and everyone out to see him there. Doug being a custodian stemmed from Dude and Zelda taking pride it in years before. He would help his parents clean the school and later on was proud to serve the school of Rutland himself.

Doug’s sister Karen, married Wayne Muth. Wayne would turn Doug into a devoted Vikings fan. Doug would watch the Vikings every time they were on TV, as well he even made it to a few games with the people he loved. He sadly will never have had the chance to see them win the Superbowl!

Survivors include his son Tim (Kim) Eggebraaten of Alexandria, MN, daughter Lisa (Matthew) Penning of Lake Campbell, SD, six grandchildren -  Hailey, Alexa, Brenna, Dylan Eggebraaten, and Payton and Pryia DeGroot. Two brothers, Gene (Gig) Eggebraaten of Crete, Nebraska, and Ted (Mary Lou) Eggebraaten of Brookings, SD. Two sisters, Karen Muth of Sioux Falls, and Loretta (Marv) Entringer of Flandreau. Doug was proceeded in death by his parents, wife Ellie, and his sister Marlene VanMaanen, brothers-in-law Wayne Muth and H.E. VanMaanen.

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