Madalene Margaret Eggold

Madalene Margaret Eggold was called to her heavenly home, surrounded by her family, on February 24, 2026, at the age of 101, 4 days shy of her 102nd birthday. She was born in Grundy County, Iowa, on February 28, 1924, the daughter of John Brandhorst and Marie (Peters) Brandhorst. Madalene was baptized into God’s family on April 13, 1924, and confirmed into Christ on June 6, 1937. She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne, IN.

Madalene attended schools in Reinbeck and Waterloo, Iowa, graduating from high school in 1941. She met the love of her life, Rev. Henry J Eggold, while attending Walther League church camp, and they married on August 9, 1944, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Iowa. The newlyweds lived in Burlington, Iowa, for a short time, where Henry served a Lutheran congregation as Pastor.

In 1945, a move took them to Ft. Wayne, IN, where Henry was called to establish a mission congregation, which became the current Holy Cross Lutheran Church. They lived there until he accepted a call to Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL, in 1951. In 1976, when the Seminary made its move to Ft. Wayne, Henry and Madalene returned there, and Henry continued as Professor of Homiletics and Madalene served there as secretary in various capacities over the years. Together, they cherished their years of service to the Seminary.

Madalene was a friend to all who knew her, and she gave of her time and talents to help others, working for various Lutheran organizations, her church, friends, and family. She found particular joy serving as a Stephen Minister and as a member of her Christ Care group at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (FW) for many years. Her love for Jesus was the core of who she was, and she delighted in sharing her faith with all people, especially her family.

Madalene and Henry were blessed with 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way), and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She referred to them as her “crown jewels” and dearly loved spending time with each in her own unique way. In quiet times, she enjoyed reading a good mystery novel, quilting, puzzles, and word games, which kept her mind sharp. As an avid reader all her life, she was a genius at Scrabble and a fierce competitor with her children, winning far more games than losing. The same can be said for The Daily Wordle—we will miss her daily chats that always included the question, “Hey did you do the Wordle yet?”

Surviving are her children, Mary (Alan) White of Ft Wayne, John (Julie) of Springfield, IL, Kate (Rev. Steve) Ahlersmeyer of Ft Wayne, daughter-in-law, Kathy Eggold, of Fort Wayne, and a sister, Ruth Krueger of Kirksville, MO. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold (1982), and her dear son, Rev. Thomas E. Eggold (2023).

Her grandchildren include Rev. Thomas A. (Sonya) Eggold, Josh (Bridget) Eggold, Rev. Danny (Lindsey) Eggold, Andrew (Leah) White, Michael White, Lisa (Leda) Eggold, Laura (Tommy) Moll, Heidi (Andy) Fordice, Rev. Peter (Emily) Ahlersmeyer, and Andy (Samantha) Ahlersmeyer.

Great-grandchildren include Ella Eggold, Madalene (John) Ripke, Sam Eggold, Isaac Eggold, Audley Eggold, Oscar Eggold, Theo Eggold, Kasper Eggold, Owen White, Allison White, Lucy Moll, James Moll, Benjamin Moll, Claire Fordice, Jack Fordice, Charlie Fordice, Addison Ahlersmeyer, Quinn Ahlersmeyer, Henry Ahlersmeyer, and Baby Ahlersmeyer (due August).

Great great-grandchildren are Joshua and Alice Ripke.

Madalene’s family is especially grateful for the compassionate staff and caregivers at Lutheran Life Villages (South Anthony Blvd.) as well as the Stillwater Hospice team, who guided the family through her final days.

Visitation will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Rd., Ft. Wayne, IN, 46835.

Funeral service officiated by Rev. Thomas A. Eggold will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 11 am at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 917 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802, with calling one hour prior to the service.

A private family committal service will take place at Concordia Cemetery Gardens on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Memorials to Lutheran Life Villages (Residential Living, South Anthony), Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Ft Wayne, or Worship Anew.