Woman Killed in Skydiving Accident Was Jacobs High School Graduate

Stephanie Eggum, 32, of Elgin, died Thursday, Aug. 1, as the result of a skydiving accident near Ottawa. Eggum, a professional drag racer and skydiver, had logged more than 1,000 jumps, according to the Daily Herald. 

Preliminary investigation by LaSalle County authorities found Eggum cut away her main parachute, and then deployed her reserve chute at an altitude too low to allow it to fully deploy. Eggum was pronounced dead at the scene, according to ABC 7 News Chicago.

Jeff Eggum told the Daily Herald his daughter was a "shy homebody" when she attended Jacobs High School in Algonquin. She broke out of her shell when she began sky diving and drag racing, he said. 

A celebration of Stephanie Eggum's life will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Rd., Elgin, from 4 to 8 p.m. with a time of sharing at 7 p.m. Laird Funeral Home, Elgin, is assisting the family.