John Wendell Eggerman

John Wendell Eggerman, age 98, passed away on August 28, 2026, at Clay Center Medical Center. He was born in Clay Center, KS, the son of John Frederick Eggerman and Emma (Larson) Eggerman.

On May 1, 1949, he married Helen J. Morton of Green. She preceded him in death in 1994. They had three children: Ronda (Eggerman) Nelson, Jeffrey Eggerman, and Jim Eggerman. He later married Lois Lippert Eggerman in 2002 and lived in Clay Center while farming in Riley and Clay Counties.

Wendell grew up in the May Day neighborhood, where he attended Star School, a one-room school, and graduated with honors from Randolph High School in 1945. He played trumpet in the Winkler Community Band throughout high school and college.

He attended Kansas State University, where he studied Soil Conservation and was a member of the Gamma Chi Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

He was a lifelong farmer in Riley and Clay Counties, working first alongside his father, "J.F.," and later with Ronda, her husband John Nelson, and sons Jim and Jeff.

Wendell was known for his witty sense of humor, quiet strength, and kindness. He was a dedicated family man who always had a story to share and a strong shoulder to lean on. He was deeply committed to the agriculture community, serving for decades in multiple leadership roles.

Among his major contributions was his involvement with the Soil Conservation Society of America, promoting no-till farming and conservation education. He was elected to the Riley County Conservation District and served for 33 years. He was appointed to the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) and served on its board as Treasurer, Vice President, and President, and received KACD's Outstanding Supervisor Award in 1984. He was also appointed to the KACD Grassland Committee and elected to the State Conservation Commission, serving 23 counties in Northeast Kansas. As a member of the Society for Range Management, he received the Trail Boss Award, the organization's highest honor.

He was elected to the C & W Rural Electric Board, where he served as Secretary, and served as Area Chairman for the Kansas Electric Cooperative. He served 12 years on the Board of Bluestem Rural Electric Association (President, 2002) and was elected President of the Riley County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, Riley County Livestock Association, Riley County Pork Producers, and Kansas Pork Producers.

He was an active member of the Green United Methodist Church and later the Clay Center United Methodist Church, serving in numerous stewardship roles. He was a member of the Benevolent Order of Elks #2253, a Master of the Masonic Highland Lodge, and a longtime member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity Gamma Chi Chapter Alumni Board.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Helen and later his wife Lois; his son Jim Eggerman; and sisters Dorothy Asper and Marie Bauer.

He is survived by two children, Ronda (Eggerman) Nelson and Jeffrey Eggerman (Susan McAndrew); grandchildren John Marc Nelson (Stacie Nelson), Pete Nelson (Elena Nelson), Tina Nelson (David Krugler), John Frederich Eggerman (Wendy Eggerman), Emily Eggerman, and Nicole Lally; great-grandchildren Calvin Nelson, Brayden Nelson, Lilliann Nelson, Delaney Nelson, and Kierstin Nelson; and two stepsons, Rick Lippert (Gerrie) and Brian Lippert (Kathy), along with 5 step-grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home with Herb Mugler officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm Tuesday.  Burial will be in the Mayday Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Mayday Cemetery and left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.