Ex-Mayor, Key Promoter Of Colville Dies

Flags are flying at half-staff in Colville today for former Mayor Louis Egger, who will be buried Monday.

“He meant a lot to this city and I think it’s only appropriate that we fly the flags at half-staff for a few days,” said current Mayor Duane Scott. “Louie was a real promoter of Colville and a real hard worker for Colville.”

Egger died Thursday at age 78. He lived in Colville most of his life and was active in numerous civic organizations.

He was mayor for two years, and stepped down in 1982 to become a 7th District state representative. The conservative Democrat did not seek re-election after his first term in the Legislature, stating that what was supposed to be a part-time job had become almost full time.

Egger remained a strong school supporter until his death.

“He was active in our campaigns to have levies passed for the schools,” school Superintendent Rick Cole said. “He contributed the two scoreboards that are in our boys basketball gymnasium.”

Although he was confined to a nursing home in recent months, Egger “was moving around pretty well up until last year,” Scott said.

A major remodeling of City Hall was one of Egger’s proudest accomplishments, Scott said.

“That took a lot of working with people and bringing people together, and Louie was good at that,” Scott said. “He was a fine guy.”

He graduated from Jenkins High School in Chewelah in 1938 and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.

He served in the Navy during World War II and had worked for Ball and Dodd Funeral Home in Spokane.

He opened the Egger Furniture store in 1955 after operating a funeral chapel in Colville for 11 years.

He was named a director of Educational Service District 101 in 1992 and had served as vice president of Mount Carmel Hospital Foundation in Colville. He also helped organize Cub Scouts in Colville.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville. A burial service will follow at 3 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen Egger; two daughters, Terry Armstrong of Grand Junction, Colo., and Colleen Miller of Brier, Wash.; two sons, John Egger of Spokane and Phillip Egger of Issaquah, Wash.; two brothers, Pete Egger of Chewelah and Larry Egger of Spokane; one sister, Kay Hamill of Salem, Ore.; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund, 320 N. Maple, Colville, WA 99114.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo