"4/28/'14
To The Degen Families, my thoughts and prayers are with you all on the loss of your loved one Bill Degen. I went to school with Bills son- Ron when I was still living in Algona, Iowa. Bill was a wonderful husband and father and Grandfather to all of his kids. What a wonderful legacy he has left to cherish his memory. He will be missed but just know he is not gone- just away in a beautiful land where there is no pain or suffering- only happy clouds and sunny skies. Bill is now seated at the table of the Lamb and reunited with all his loved ones. May God grant Bill Eternal Rest and Let that perpetual light shine upon him forever. With Prayers and Synpathy, Mark J.VonBank- (formerly of Algona, Iowa-now living in Park Rapids, Minnesota.) (Former Classmate of Ron Degen in 5th Grade at St.Cecelia's Catholic School-Algona, Iowa)."
In loving memory of
William "Bill" Degen
June 24, 1928 - April 16, 2014
William Bernard Degen was born June 24, 1928, in Geddes, South Dakota, the son of Henry and Elisabeth (Schilmoeller) Degen. At a young age his family moved to Iowa and eventually settled in Granville. Bill attended school and graduated from St. Joseph High School in Granville in 1946. Bill later served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in October of 1954.
On January 28, 1956, Bill was united in marriage to Anita Simons at St. Cecelia Catholic Church. After their marriage, Bill worked for Everds Brothers for 28 years. He later worked for Dole Construction, Wayne Hansen Construction and most recently for Kossuth County mowing ditches.
Bill enjoyed the time he was able to spend with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed driving his old Oliver 60 tractor in parades, as well as, reading, following NASCAR, going for coffee at Hy-Vee and farming. Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW and American Legion of Algona and in May of 2013 was able to go on the Honor Flight.
Bill died Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. He was 85.
He is survived by his wife, Anita of Algona; children, Michael (Roseann) Degen of St. Helens, OR; Ronald (Linda) Degen of West Des Moines; Carolyn (Larry) Bjustrom of Eldridge; Diane (Ray) Dorweiler of Chandler, AZ; Donna (Michael) Kemery of Clearfield; Joseph (Kendra) Degen of Algona; James Degen and fiancé Sandy Rhoads of Clearwater, FL; 20 grandchildren; 14, great-grandchildren; a sister, Florence Goff of Sioux City; a brother, Reverend Jerome Degen of Fort Dodge; sisters-in- law, Virginia, Camilla and Ann Degen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Timothy; three brothers, Leonard, Robert and Donald Degen; two sisters, Esther Lombardo and Marion Fuchsen; three brothers-in-law, Vince Lombardo, Lester "Sport" Fuchsen and James Goff.
Tributes
"My Condolences go out to the Degen Family."
"Anita - I was so sorry to read of Bill's passing. My condolences to you and your family. Don Hiserodt"
"My condolences to your family at this sad time. My thoughts of comfort and peace are with you."
"So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Our prayers go out to the Degan family. "
"Uncle Bill was the best. Ever since I was knee-high he would greet me with an expressive "KAAATIEE! How's my little River Rat?" I always gave him a big kiss on the cheek and he'd smile and ask me about my life. He was larger than life. I will miss him..."
"To the Degen Family We are sorry to hear of Bill's passing We are keeping you all in our prayers. Sorry we can"t attend the services as Jeanne has just had surgery and can't travel. Ron & Jeanne Schilmoeller Remsen, Iowa"
"So sorry to hear of Uncle Bill's passing. Sending you my thoughts and prayers. He was a good man, he will be missed, but remembered with a smile.
"
"I am sorry to hear of Bill's passing,you all have my sympathy.I remember Bill mowing for the county past our place.Also I am glad Bill had the chance to go on the Honor Flight a year ago that is a special occassion and I remember him telling me about the trip since I went on it with my Dad a few months later and I want to thank him for serving our country.God Bless him and your family in the days to come."
"As you celebrate Uncle Bill's life and being, know that he was loved beyond measure by all who knew him. My very last memory of Uncle Bill was when we all gathered at Bill and 'Nita's" just a few years ago. He and Uncle Don couldn't help themselves--they kept laughing together. One of Uncle Don's stories was that the bedroom they shared was soooo cold that when they'd wake up in the morning, they'd see all these transparent, brown disks floating around. When the heat did kick in and the sun came up, and they opened the window...well, you can imagine. (They were frozen farts.) Uncle Bill said, "Well, at least that made us get up and out of there every morning." Grandma Degen's children didn't have an easy time of it, but they were loved and protected no matter what. She raised good ones in every way. Uncle Bill will always remain in my heart. Kate (Kathy) "
"It's been so long since I've spent time with my mother's family that the memories seem to be fading. Bill was a wonderful uncle from a generation I have so much respect and admiration for. With each sad occasion of their passing these distant memories grow stronger and I can clearly recall the happy moments when we all came together for the Degan family reunions. My sincere condolences go out to Uncle Bill's family."
"Degen family -
Bill was a good friend of our family, and a great coffee pal of dad's. May you all celebrate special memories of Bill during this time. With sincere sympathies - Gina Flaig"
"Anita and Kids I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing - he's been in my prayers so much lately. He has always been one of my "favorites" starting way back when I was babysitting all of you! Always smiling and such fun to visit with. I know you all have wonderful memories and they will help you through this tough time, but it does take time.... Just know that he is happy in heaven with Our Lord and watching over all of you. Love, Tom and Linda (Muller) Froehlich"
"Degen Family,
Very sad to hear of Bill's passing. He was a wonderful man who will be missed by many. Praying for you all.
Hugs from Phoenix, AZ"
"Very sad to hear of Bill's passing and wanted to let the entire Degen family know your in my thoughts and prayers! I have Lots of good memories growing up with the Degen kids and will always remember Bill's smile!"
"MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. LORRI LARSEN"
"I am sorry to hear of Bill's passing. My dad Stan Hatlestad and Bill worked together painting years ago. Dad always spoke highly of Bill and I know he was a good man. May he rest in peace and I'm sure the family has many memories that will keep him alive in your hearts forever. Cathy"
"Ron & I send our sympathies to Anita and the family. We have many good memories from being with the Everds crew. "
"Uncle Bill Degen--what a fine man, what a spirited soul. "
"My family's prayers are with you all. Bill was such a fine man and father & husband to you all! I have countless great memories of those times when all of us got together for a Degen gathering. Bill and Dad (Don) were two of the closest brothers I've ever known. When all 17 of their kids were running around, playing, screaming, and even fighting, you could look off to the side of the commotion and see Bill and Don standing there with a drink in hand smiling at their offspring. Bill was rightfully proud of his family and we'll all miss him so much. May he rest in peace. "
"Poppa Degs was a wonderful guy, he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family."
"We will miss Uncle Bill terribly. He was so much like Papa and I am happy they are reunited again!"
"So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He always had time to say hi whenever you met him. I will always remember his kind gentle and pleasant attitude. I will miss him dearly. My prayers are with this wonderful family. "
"We are thinking of all of you with the loss of such a fine father. We know how hard it is since we have just gone through the same thing with our Dad. Your dad and mine were definately two of a kind and Bill was always a fix for me when I was really missing Dad. Keep all your fun memories close to your heart and you will someday be able to smile and laugh every time you think of him. Our families together, certainly have lots of fine memories! Although they did not grow up with their dad, Grandma Degen sure raised them to be the best Dads ever! Love you all, John and Sheila (Degen) Bartolo"
"Poppa Degs. A great man and a wonderful family. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you. "
"Our Prayers are with you all. Uncle Bill was always a guy to bring a smile to your face. The countless times I was able to listen to him and dad remember old times and the pleasant verbal jousting they would do when they teased each other was always so enjoyable. We all loved them so much. When all the brothers would circle up and talk about the old days, we would just soak it all in. Oh what fun family times. Bill will always be close to all of our hearts, with all the memories we can recall."
"My thoughts and love are with all the Degens. Uncle Bill was such a great person--so kind, so funny, so just plain good. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him. Kate Goff (Kathy)"
"Mark and I are very saddened for your loss. May God hold you and comfort you throughout this time."
"To all the special Degen's, Bill was a super neighbor to have when we moved to Algona..."the hedge is your's", the sauerkraut (and beer), and the best barbque chicken in the world. We learned lots, and felt SO lucky! So sorry for this day. "
"Degen Family,
Bill was such a nice man! I so enjoyed our visits. He was so proud of his family. May your many fond memories of him, help you through this difficult time. He will be missed!"