Galen James Eiben May 23, 1936 – July 21, 2018


Galen James Eiben

     Galen James Eiben, age 82, of Viroqua, Wisconsin and formerly of Shell Rock, Iowa, died Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua.

Galen was born on May 23, 1936, in Monticello, Iowa, the son of Benhard and Sophia (Lubben) Eiben.  He was raised in Monticello where he was baptized on June 9, 1936 and later graduated from Monticello High School in 1954.  On July 6, 1956, Galen was united in marriage to his high school love, Jayne Hayden, in Monticello, Iowa.  He was a devoted husband. Galen attended Wartburg College graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1960 and then Iowa State University graduating with his Masters in 1962 and his Doctorate in 1967.  While in college Galen served in the National Guard.  He worked as a professor of Biology at Texas Lutheran College from 1962 to 1964 and at Wartburg College from 1967 until retiring in 1998. 

Galen had a deep appreciation for nature and he revered God’s creation. He loved camping and gardening, and enjoyed beekeeping. He was a woodworking artisan.  Galen loved people and took great pleasure in visiting with neighbors and colleagues.  He loved spending time with family and delighted in his grandchildren.

Galen was a current member of Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church in Chaseburg, Wisconsin and a former member of Faith Lutheran Church in Shell Rock.  He was a lay minister at New Life Church in Clarksville, Iowa and at the Shell Rock Health Care Center.

Galen’s memory is honored by: his wife, Jayne Eiben of Viroqua, Wisconsin; three daughters, Vicky (Randall Kahn) Eiben of LaFarge, Wisconsin, Valerie Strauss of Austin, Texas, and Margaret (Robert) Hoversten of Viroqua, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Marian Strauss, Kenneth Hoversten, Jesse Kahn, and Elizabeth Hoversten; a brother-in-law, Garth Graft of Marengo, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Myers of Bloomington, Illinois.  He was preceded in death by: his parents; a brother, Ray Eiben; and a sister, Ruth Graft.

      Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25, at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Shell Rock where the family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be a brief prayer service at 6:45. Galen will then be cremated, and memorial services will be held on Thursday, July 26, at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Shell Rock with Pastor Kim Smith officiating.  Private burial of cremains will take place at a later date at Oak Wood Cemetery in Monticello.  Memorials may be directed to Wartburg College, Faith Lutheran Church of Shell Rock, or Cedar Falls Farmers Market and online condolences may be left at www.kaisercorson.com.  Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Shell Rock is assisting the family with arrangements 319-885-4321. 

 

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