Memorial Tribute
Josena Cornelia “Josie” (Brouwer) Egdorf was born near Rock Valley, IA on April 3, 1930, to parents, Fred and Cornelia “Cora” Brouwer. She was born 15 minutes after her twin brother, Bill. Both were welcomed home by siblings, Marion “Bud”, and Annie “Bape”. Josie shared very fond memories of her childhood. She loved her parents and her siblings dearly and was particularly close to her twin brother, Bill. The two remained close their entire lives until Bill’s passing only a few years ago. The Brouwer family lived through the depression. They weren’t wealthy, but were never homeless and were always loved, cared for, and healthy.
In 1947, Josie became the bride of Walter C. Egdorf – she called him “Walt” and he called her “Jo”. Together, they had six children; Linda Susan has been with Jesus since she was two years old.
Josie worked for many years at Prairie View Nursing Home as a CNA. She loved her patients and the people she worked with, bringing home many stories and fond memories. At age 50, Josie earned her GED, became a cosmetologist, and for a short time, owned and operated the La Cherie, in Primghar, IA. She had always enjoyed cutting her family’s hair – before she had the shop, as well as after. She also had taken a course in baking and candy making – sharing wonderful treats with family and friends. Josie had a passion for dolls. She shopped antique stores, collected them, repaired them, sold them, kept them, and gave them away. She also provided restoration services for other collectors who had dolls in need of repair. Along with her other talents, Josie truly enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She made, and gave away, many beautiful throws and baby blankets.
Josie’s life was not easy, but in every phase of her life, she was expressing love. She has tucked away many notes she had written, saying, “Thank you Lord for being so kind to me”. To the day before her passing, she was giving kisses after kisses. Her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, remained true and strong and now she is with Him, in glory and with the purest of love and joy.
Josie left her earthly body behind on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. She is now, and forever will be, in the presence of Jesus, her Savior. There is now no limit, no stopping, no end to her giving love, to her expressing love, and to her receiving her Savior’s love. She is no longer hurting, but is perfectly beautiful, and at this very moment, looking into the face of the true love of her life – the face of Jesus.
Loved ones who have gone before her were her parents, Fred and Cora; her husband, Walter; her infant daughter, Linda Susan; and her siblings; Bud, Annie, and Bill.
Those who continue to love her include her children: Larry and his wife, Malinda, Floyd and his wife, Sandy, Allan and his wife, Dee, Mark and his wife, Sunita, and Cheryl and her husband, Tony; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Celebration of Life
Josena Cornelia Egdorf
Born ~ April 3, 1930
Died ~ June 14, 2022
Age ~ 92 years 2 months 11 days
Funeral Service
Saturday, June 18, 2022
2:00 p.m.
St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church
Sanborn, Iowa
Clergy
Pastor Kevin Gingerich
Songs of Praise
Processional ~ “Amazing Grace”
“I Will Rise”
Recessional ~ “Messiah / You’re Beautiful”
Pallbearers
Jay Downing Jeffrey Downing Kenny Downing
Chase Downing Nathan Egdorf Matthew Egdorf
Interment
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Primghar, Iowa