"My Deepest Sympathy to the Degen Family. You are in my prayers!"
In loving memory of
Don Degen
February 20, 2010
Interment: St. John's Catholic Cemetery ~ Bancroft, Iowa with military honors conducted by the McKinnon American Legion Post # 377, Bancroft and the Iowa Army Honor Guard.
Donald Henry Joseph Patrick Alexander Degen, P.M., (Retired), was born on January 29, 1930 in a bean field east of Eagle Grove, Iowa to Henry and Elisabeth (Schilmoeller) Degen. At the age of four, following the death of his father, Don moved with his family to Granville, Iowa. Growing up during the depression, Don recalled how he and his four brothers attended separate masses since they had to share one suit. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School, graduating in the top 8 of his class on May 27, 1947 with 6" of snow on the ground. We later figured out there were only eight in his class. Don was once the high scorer of his varsity basketball team, scoring 4 points only to lose the game 4-2. Following graduation, Don farmed near Granville, where he learned the fine art of sewing from his mother when she made coveralls for the rooster that lost all his feathers during the tornado of '48. Don was called to serve his country during the Korean conflict, receiving one war wound (AKA...his belly button) and was medically discharged after contracting rheumatic fever. After working for one year in Sioux City, Iowa, Don moved to a farm east of Bancroft in 1954 when fate stepped in. Ann McGuire ran out of gas at the end of his lane and the rest is history. Don and Ann were married at St. John Church on October 27, 1956. Their first child, Colleen, arrived a year later in November, 1957. Don asked the nurse at St. Ann's Hospital to reserve a room for them next year and, just as he'd planned, Sheila arrived in 1958, Judy in 1959, Charlie in 1960, Ed in 1961, Pat in 1963, Eric in 1964, Jon in 1966, and Jenny in 1968.
One of Don's greatest achievements was being appointed Postmaster of Bancroft by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 12, 1967. He thoroughly enjoyed serving the people of his community and making many wonderful friends along the way. Don retired from the US Postal Service in 1990.
Don's family was the center of his whole life and his home was often the center of activity for the entire neighborhood. All of his children and their friends over the years can recall countless funny stories (we believed all of them) and the special time we just spent together, an early morning breakfast at the Degen house - Don loved to cook for anyone and everyone, family vacations - countless friends joined us in the old station wagon on vacations, and many, many gatherings in the sun porch. Don especially loved his 35 grandchildren and his 12 great grandchildren. Don enjoyed cooking, repairing, building, refinishing, sewing, fishing, country rides, farming, threshing, gardening, stamp collecting, coffee with his friends, and the computer - even Facebook!
With his quiet confidence, sense of humor, deep faith and uncomplicated outlook on life, Don is the greatest role model a family and community could have and he is an inspiration to all those who know him.
In addition to his wife Ann of 53 years, Don is survived by his 9 children and their spouses, Colleen & Bruce Rieks of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Sheila & John Bartolo of Algona, Iowa, Judy & Brian Vaske of Bancroft, Charlie & Frances Degen of Warrensburg, MO, Ed & Julie Degen of Osan, Korea, Pat Degen of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Eric & Jenny Degen of Algona, Iowa, Jon & Sarah Degen of Williamsburg, Iowa and Jenny Kollasch and friend, Brad Eichenberger of Bancroft. He is also survived by his sisters, Marion Fuchsen & Florence Goff, brothers Bill (Anita) Degen & Rev. Jerome Degen, as well as sister & brothers-in-law Camilla Degen, Virginia Degen, Bill & Ann McGuire, Pat McGuire, Tom & Cheryl McGuire, Mary & Don Schiltz, Marty & Barbara McGuire, Joe & Carolyn McGuire, Ed & Jesse McGuire, and Kris Brandenburg.
Don was preceded in death by his twin grandsons, Charlie and Sydney; his father and mother, Henry & Elisabeth Degen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charlie & Charlotte McGuire; his brothers, Len Degen & Bob Degen; his sister, Esther Lombardo; and brothers-in-law Sport Fuchsen, Jim Goff, Vince Lombardo, John McGuire and Stephen Brandenburg.
Tributes
"Pat and family - So sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. "
"So sorry to hear about your loss. I enjoyed getting to know him through the countless trips he and Ann made to Cedar Falls to visit their grandkids. Don was the epitome of "a family man." --Dave "
"My thoughts are with you all as you say goodbye to Don. May his memory and all that he meant to each of you help you during this difficult time. My brothers, sisters and I remember Don with fondness and have many memories of visits and summer campouts. Mary Fischer"
"We are truely sorry for your recent loss. Don lived a long and rewarding life and accomplished so much in his lifetime. He will always be remembered as the hardworking, loving man that had such wonderful stories. Our thoughts and prayers will be with all of you. We are sorry we couldn't be there in person, but may you find comfort in the outpouring of sympathy from all of us. In Deepest Sympathy"
"You have our deepest sympathy and Prayers. May God bless and watch over all of you. Tom and Sheila Kockler"
"I met Don, Ann, and several of the kids when Charlie brought me up from Missouri for a pheasant hunt. Iā??ve never felt a warmer welcome from the entire family anywhere else ever Iā??ve visited. Don was a fine man and itā??s reflected in the family he raised. It was a pleasure to have known him and our thoughts are with you as you cope with his loss."
"Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Angie, George, Garrett & Gavin Jensen Williamsburg "
"So sorry to hear about your loss. I enjoyed getting to know him through the countless trips he and Ann made to Cedar Falls to visit their grandkids. Don was the epitome of "a family man." --Dave "
"My thoughts & prayers go out to your family in the loss of someone who seems to have been a wonderful person."
"To the family of Don Degen, My family and I would like to send our deepest sympathies to all of you. Mourn the loss of your loved one but also celebrate his life here on earth and also the many wonderful memories that will guide you through these next days and weeks. And look forward to that day when we will all meet again in the kingdom of our God in heaven. Again our condolences. Bob, Joanie, Brad, Geoff and Allison Knoop Williamsburg, IA"
"You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. You have my deepest sympathy."
"Our thoughts are with your family. Hope you have an "Irish Wake" and remember all the good times, as it sounds like you and your family have had a great life with Don. Again, we are keeping you in our prayers."
"To all the Degen Family, We are thinking of you at this time. He had a great life and all of you with him. we are happy to have known all of you. Will remember all of you in our prayers. Roy and Rita Fox, WDM, Iowa"
"Our deepest sympathy for your loss. We will remember all of you in our thoughts and prayers. "
"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family."
"Dear Eric: I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. Losing a parent is one of the hardest losses to endure. I'm sure he was a good man since he raised a nice guy like you. I can't say anything to you at this time that dozens of people haven't already said. Embrace the good memories; and I will be praying for you all."
" Words can not describe the sorrow of losing Don. I am so happy that I have been blessed with being able to have shared his life with the entire Degen family. There are so many memories I could share about him and everyone of them makes me smile. I will never, ever forget his stories, which, by the way, were all 100% factual. I loved visiting, sharing a story and a bourbon with him and a few of the boys. If I can not make it home, please know that my love and thoughts are with each and every one of you. You were all like a second family for me growing up and I thank you all. Thank you for always stearing me away from trouble. ha ha God bless and REST IN PEACE GOOD MAN. There has been a story teller seat available up there for you for a long time. "
"We're thinking of all of you and praying with you. Papa Don was a wonderful man and we are lucky to have shared our lives with him. I'm so sorry we're not there to help now. E.J., Julie, & Keri"
"On behalf of the Iowa State Patrol District 11 Troopers and personnel, we extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to the Degen family during this time of loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"We are so sorry for your loss--We will be keeping all of your family in our thoughts and prayers. Jay & Gail"