Source: Tribune-Record-Gleaner (Clark County, Wis.) 04/11/2001
 

Degenhardt, Edwin J. (1927 - 2001)

Edwin J. Degenhardt, 73, Greenwood, died on Monday, Arpil 2, 2001, at his home. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, April 5, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greenwood. The Rev. Joseph Follmar officiated. Pallbearers were J.J. Logue, Korey Moline, Kevin Spuhler, Eric Oldham, Jamie Degenhardt, and Shane Degenhardt.

Edwin Joseph Degenhardt was born on April 11, 1927, in Colby, to Henry and Laverne (nee Ryan) Degenhardt. His family moved to Loyal when he was a young man, where he attended St. Anthony's School. He worked on his family's farm until entering the U.S. Army in Nov. 1945. He was honorably discharged in Jan. 1947, at which time he joined the army National Guard and served until 1959. He married Elizabeth Betty Updyke on Feb. 6, 1951, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. They moved to Marshfield where he was employed at Felker's service Station. He was later employed as a farmhand in Alma Center before moving to Loyal in 1952. In 1954, they bought a hobby farm in rural Greenwood, where they enjoyed raising beef cattle and milking a small herd. During this time he also worked for the Co-op Services station until 1958. He then went to work for Clark Electric Cooperative as a rural electric line man and remained there until his retirement in 1989. In 1992, they built a home in Greenwood. He enjoyed traveling, dancing, reading western novels, and spending time with his family. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he taught C.C.C. for eight years, was a sexton of St. Mary's Cemetery for 20 years, and was past president of St. Mary's
Holy Name Society. He was also a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 4963, a past president of the local chapter of Catholic Knight Insurance, a past president of the Deutscher Club, and a past president of the Good Sam Club.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth Betty Degenhardt, Greenwood nine children, Duane (Carol) Degenhardt, Klemme, Iowa, Diane Degenhardt, Neillsville, Denise (Jerry) Malinowski, Oronoco, Minn., Dinna (Glenn) Halle, Neillsville, Denel Degenhardt, Greenwood, Denis (Mary) Degenhardt, Owen, Dany (Diane) Degenhardt, Spencer, Denet (Kevin) Oldham, Greenwood, and Darin (Florence) Degenhardt, Rockford, Ill. 25 grandchildren five great-grandchildren two brothers, Raymond (Elaine) Degenhardt, Loyal, and Ronald (Helena) Degenhardt, Rockford, Ill. and one sister, Arlene Rizzi, Spencer.

He was preceded in death by his parents one grandson, Adam Oldham three sisters and four brothers.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, assisted the family with arrangements.