Degen, Hans 1857-1941 & Mary Meyer Family

DEGEN, MEYER, MEYERS, MEIER, SCHROEDER, SCHRADER, LUPNER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/30/2023 at 17:45:03

Degen, Hans 1857-1941 & Mary Meyer Family

This story was taken from pages 374 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg . There can be some discrepancies in information from one record to another, the information was recorded as in the record found.

Page 374 of the Ireton Centennial Book 1882-1982
Early settler, Hans Degen came to the Ireton area in 1886. He was born in Germany in 1857, immigrating to the U.S. at the age of 9. He married Mary Meyer in 1885. Hans and Mary bought a farm in Sioux Co., Center Twp., Sec. 7 in 1890 from Henry Nieland, grandparents of Alva Stuckenbuck (Mrs. Eldo Degen).

Hans and Mary Degen had 7 children. Molly (Mrs. Pete Treiber), Ella (Mrs. Martin Treiber), Edward, Alvina (Mrs. Joe Richardson), Lillian (Mrs. Lester Coats), Elsie (Mrs. E. A. Hand), and Eldo.

Eldo Degen married Alva Stuckenbruck and they continued farming the Degen land in Center Twp. They were the parents of Lavon (Mrs. Leo McKinney), Wilber, Norma (Mrs. Wilber Heuer), and Earl. Norma Degen Heuer is the mother of Dick and Tom of Ireton. Earl farmed the Degen land until 1970 and is the father of Donna (Mrs. Mel Schwiesow), Barbara (Mrs. Jeff Marieneau), Mark and Todd all of Ireton.

RESEARCH NOTES: From the Births, Marriages and Deaths on Ancestry.com and Find a Grave
Find a Grave lists Hans Degen born about 1857 died 1941 buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery Ireton IA , Wife Mary Meyer Degen. Children Listed were Eldo H. Degan, Alvina Richardson, Lillian I. Coats, Alma Mathilda Degen, Mary Degan Elsie Christina Hand, Edward F. Degen, Amelia Treiber, Ella Maria Treiber and Willie Degan.

From the Public members trees on ancestry.com (posted by other family)
Hans Degen born 7 Aug 1857 Schleswig-Holstein, Germany died 1 Dec 1941 Ireton Iowa. His parents were Claus Wipke Degen 1835-1863 and Wiebke ‘Sophia’ Schroeder 1829-1918. Hans Degen married Mary Anna Meier on 4 Mar 1885 at Benton Iowa.

Mary Anna Meier/Meyer was born 5 Sep 1868 Benton, Iowa and died 7 May 1950 Ireton Iowa. As found in the 1870 census of Luzerne, Benton, Iowa She was the daughter of William Meyers born 1838 Prussia living in Jefferson, Stephenson IL , His wife was Mary Meyers 1839, children listed Sarah, Henry, Amelia, Louisa, Mary A. age 2 and George. Conrad Meyers 52 was living with them. The 1925 Census of Ireton Iowa lists Mary Meyer Degan at 56 yrs born about 1869. parents were William Meyer and Anna Lupner.

CHILDREN of Hans Degen and Mary Meyer, ten reported born, seven survived. Sources obituaries and ancestry.com.

1. AMELIA DEGEN born 23 Jul 1886 Ireton Iowa died 14 Mar 1971 Hawarden IA. Husband Peter Treiber.
Obituary - Funeral services were held at Trinity Lutheran church in Hawarden at 2 P.M., Wednesday, March 17, for Mrs. Peter Treiber, 84, of Hawarden, who died at the Hawarden Nursing Home March 14 following a brief illness. Services were conducted by the Rev. O. F. Pittack and burial was made in Grace Cemetery at Hawarden. The former, Amelia Degen was born July 23, 1886, near Ireton. She was married to Peter Treiber at Ireton June 16, 1907. The couple farmed near Hawarden prior to retiring and moving into the town of Hawarden.
Her husband passed away February 23, 1968. Survivors include two sons, Edward and Walter; a daughter, Mrs. Ralph (Helda) Jones, all of Hawarden; two brothers, Edward Degen of Hawarden and Eldo of Ireton; four sisters, Mrs. Ella Treiber and Mrs. Elsie Hand, both of Hawarden, Mrs. Joseph Richardson of Elk Point, S.D., and Mrs. Lester Coats of Ireton; 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Source: Sioux Center News, March 18, 1971

2. ELLA MARIE DEGEN born 5 Dec 1887 Ireton Iowa and died 16 Feb 1972 Hawarden Iowa. Husband Martin Treiber.
Hawarden Independent February 24, 1972
Mrs. Ella Treiber Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Treiber (84) were held in Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 19th, with the Rev. O. F; Pittack conducting the service. Interment was made in Grace Hill Cemetery with the Dow Funeral Home in charge. She died in the local hospital on Wednesday evening, February 16th. Ella Marie, daughter of Hans Degen and wife, Mary, nee Meyer, was born at Ireton on December 5, 1887, and was baptized on June 3, 1883 by the Rev. Albert Domman, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. On January 16, 1907, she was united in marriage with Martin Treiber, with the Rev. H. Schwenk performing the ceremony. During the next twenty-three years they resided on various farms in the Ireton and Hawarden areas. They were received into membership with Trinity Lutheran congregation in 1914. After the death of her husband, on April 24, 1930, Mrs. Treiber moved into this city in 1934. Preceding her in death, besides her parents and husband, were a daughter, Lily, in infancy; one brother, William, and two sisters, Mary and Alma Degen, who died in childhood, and a third sister, Mrs. Peter (Amalia) Treiber, who passed away in 1971. Survivors include: Two sons, Harold and Ray Treiber of: Omak, Washington; five daughters: Mrs. Tom (Luella) Barker of Omak, Washington, Mrs. Florence Feikema and Mrs. Kearney (Velda) Hemmingson, both of Hawarden, Mrs. Milton (Viola) Buum of Omak, Washington, and Mrs. Robert (Donna) Miller of Hawarden; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Edward Degen of Hawarden and Eldo Degen of Ireton; three sisters: (Mrs. Joe Alvina) Richardson of Elk Point, S.D.. Mrs. Lester (Lillian) Coats of Ireton, and Mrs. Elsie Hand of Hawarden; and a number of nephews and nieces. Pallbearers were

3. MARY DEGEN born 16 Mar 1889/1890 Ireton Iowa died Feb 1895 Ireton Iowa. Submitter could not find any death notice or article in the paper on the death of the two Degen children in 1895. Cemetery index lists Mary Degen born or died 20 Feb 1895 was 6 yrs old, same stone as Willie Pleasant Hill Cemetery Ireton IA. Find A Grave has photo of grave stone. Since Willie and Mary died three days apart it can be assumed that some childhood disease was their demise.

4. William Degen born 14 May 1891 died Feb 1895 Ireton Iowa Submitter could not find any death notice or article in the paper on the death of two Degen children in 1895. Cemetery Index lists Willie Degen died 23 Feb 1895, 4 years same stone a Mary Ireton IA. Find A Grave has photo of grave stone. Submitters thoughts – Since Willie and Mary died three days apart it can be assumed that some childhood disease was their demise.

5. Edward Fred Degen born 25 Aug 1894 Center Township Sioux County Iowa died 1 Apr 1987 Hawarden Iowa.
Obituary - Hawarden Independent April 9, 1987
Edward F. Degen, 92, of Hawarden, died Wednesday, April 1, 1987, in a Sioux City hospital after a short illness. Services were at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, in Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawarden. Rev. Loren Vogler officiated. Burial was in Grace Hill Cemetery under direction of Dow Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Erlyn Cain, Marvin Kots, Lindy Richardson, Eugene Hemmingson, Earl Degen and Dennis Treiber. Mr. Degen was born August 25, 1894, in Center Township, near Ireton and attended rural schools. He married Hilda Schlumbohm April 30, 1919, rural Sioux Center. The couple farmed northeast of Hawarden until 1943 when they retired and moved into town. Mr. Degen was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He served several years on the church board and was a member of Lutheran Layman's League. He was a veteran of World War I and was a 65-year member of the American Legion. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Paul (Mildred) Venard, of Hawarden; a grandson, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Alvina Richardson, of Elk Point, and Elsie Hand, of Hawarden.

6. ELDON HENRY DEGEN born 29 Jul 1896 Ireton Iowa and died 27 Sep 1979 Ireton Iowa. He married Alva Stuckenbruck.
Source: Hawarden Independent (10-4-1979)
Obituary - Eldon Degen,83 of Ireton, died Thursday, September, 27 in a hospital at Hawarden. Services were at 10:30 a.m. Monday in St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Ireton. The Rev.Paul Sieveking officiated. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Ireton under direction of the Dow Funeral Home at Ireton. Mr. Degen was born July 29, 1896, in Sioux County, near Ireton. He married Alva Stuckenbruck Feb. 14, 1918,in Rock Valley, They farmed in the Ireton area, moving into town in 1951. Mrs. Degan died April 2, 1968. Surivors include two daughters, Mrs. Lavon McKinney of Salton, Calif., and Mrs. Wilbur (Norma)Heuer of Ireton; two sons, Wilbur of Madison, SD., and Earl of Ireton; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; a brother Ed of Hawarden; three sisters, Mrs. Elsie Hand of Hawarden, Mrs. Joe (Elvina) Richardson of Elk Point, SD and Mrs. Lester (Lillian) Coats of Ireton.

7. ALMA MATHILDA DEGEN born 29 Jul 1897 Ireton Iowa died Feb 1898 or Dec 20, 1898.
Alma Mathilda Degen 1 yr 8 mo. 10 days died Dec 21, 1899 Center Tsp. Sioux county buried Ireton IA. Source Sioux County death record. No obit was readily found in the digital newspaper archives. There were a few issues of the Hawarden papers missing at that time. Birth Record lists Alma Degen born 22 Jun 1898 dau of Hans Degen and Mary Myre Find A Grave lists Alma Mathilda Degen born 29 July 1897 died 20 Dec 1898 buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery Ireton IA . Daughter of Hans and Mary Degen.

8. ALVINA DEGEN born 13 Apr 1900 Ireton Iowa died 27 Jan 1988 Husband Joseph O Richardson 1894. Richardson, Alvina born 1900 died 1988 on same stone as Joe O. buried in Pleasant Hill Ireton IA. Find a Grave lists Alvina Richardson born 1900 died 1988 buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery Ireton IA . Her parents were Hans and Mary Degen, husband Joe O Richardson. No obit was found locally. Social Security death index list Alvina Richardson as born 13 Apr 1900 died 27 Jan 1988 Elk Point Union South Dakota. See the obit of her husband Joseph O. Richardson 1895-1992 for more family details. His obituary is included below: Joseph O. Richardson, 96, of Elk Point, S.D., died Monday (Jan. 20, 1992), at Prairie Estates Care Center in Elk Point. Services were Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran church in Elk Point. Rev. Leslie Hernes officiated. Graveside services were Wednesday at Pleasant Hill cemetery in Ireton, la., under direction of Anderson funeral home in Elk Point. Mr. Richardson was born Oct. 14, 1895, in rural Ireton and attended Ireton schools. He served in the navy during World War I. He married Alvina Degen Oct. 21, 1919, in Ireton. The couple lived in various cities in Iowa and South Dakota, settling in Elk Point, where he was employed at Council Oak Store. He retired in 1959 and in 1960 he and his son, Lindy, began operating Sanitary Market in Elk Point. In 1985, he became a resident at Prairie Estates. Mrs. Richardson died Jan. 27, 1988, in Sioux City. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran church and Bert L. Smith post 134, American Legion of Elk Point. Survivors include a son, A. Joseph Richardson of Tega Cay, S.C.; two brothers, Ben Richardson of Minnesota and Curt Richardson of Ireton; two sisters, Amanda Evans of Hastings, Neb. and Bea Perry of Tempo, Ariz.; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Source - Akron Register Tribune Thursday, January 23, 1992 Akron, Iowa

9. LILLIAN IDA DEGEN born 9 Sep 1902 Center Township Sioux County Iowa died 1984 Ireton Iowa. Obituary - Hawarden Independent of May 17,1984 Mrs. Lester Coats Mrs. Lester (Lillian) Coats, 81, Ireton, died May 11, 1984, at the Hawarden Hospital after long illness. Services were Monday, May 14, in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Ireton. The Rev. Paul Sieveking officiated. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery under direction of Dow Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Douglas Coats, Walter Treiber, Tunis Vollink, Paul Venard, Marvin Kots and Earl Degen. Mrs. Coats, the former Lillian Degen, was born September 9, 1902, near Ireton. She married Lester Coats May 18, 1966, at Council Bluffs. She was a resident of the Ireton area all of her life. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Survivors include her husband, Cherokee; two step-sons, Donald Coats, Le Mars, and Gerald Coats, Stockton, CA; a step-daughter, Mrs. Albert (Joyce) White, Council Bluffs; two sisters, Elsie Hand, Hawarden, and Mrs. Joe (Alvena) Richardson, Elk Point, SD; a brother, Ed Degen,
Hawarden; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

10. ELSIE CHRISTINA DEGEN born 10 Jul 1905 Sioux County IA died 31 May 1991 Le Mars, Plymouth, Iowa. Husband was Elza Aaron Hand 1897. Obituary - Hawarden Independent June 6, 1991 Elsie Christina Hand, 85, of Le Mars and formerly of Hawarden, died Friday, May 31, 1991, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars. Services were held Monday, June 3, at the American Lutheran Church in Hawarden, the Rev. Karla J. Kirkeby officiated. Burial was in Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden, under the direction of Porter-Dow Funeral Home, Hawarden. Mrs. Hand, the former Elsie Degen, was born July 10, 1905, in Ireton, the daughter of Hans and Mary (Meyers) Degen. She married Elza Hand February 14, 1924, in Ireton. The couple farmed north of Hawarden and later moved into town. She worked for many years as a nurses aide at the Hawarden Community Hospital. Mr. Hand died October 2, 1966. She moved to Plymouth Manor in April 1987. Mrs. Hand was a member of the American Lutheran Church of Hawarden. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Vivian) Popken of Pea Ridge, AR; a son-in-law, Marvin Kots of Salix; six grandchildren, Donna Beaver of Pea Ridge, AR, Debbie Guetzkow of Rogers, AR, Elaine Cheveny of Springdale, AR, Steve Kots of Corpus Christi, TX and Barbara Hames and Shelly Schlesser, both of Le Mars; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorothy Kots; four sisters; and two brothers.

OBITUARY OF HANS DEGEN
From the Hawarden Independent, December 4, 1941:
Death Claims Pioneer Resident
Hans Degen, a highly respected citizen of Ireton, passed away at his home at 11 o’clock Monday evening after an illness of six weeks. Death was due to old age and complications. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran church this afternoon with Rev. H. W. Krieger in charge. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill cemetery. The pall bearers will be Alfred Hemmingson, Harry Johnson, William Boisen, William Treiber, John Vlotho Jr., and Edward Benit.
Hans Degen was regarded as one of the early settlers coming here in 1886 and farmed in Eagle township until he came to Ireton to live. He was a son of Claus Wipke Degen and was born in Germany Aug. 7, 1857. When a boy of nine years of age he came to America and located at Davenport, Iowa, where he resided three years. He then moved to Lucerne, Benton county.
He was united in marriage with Mary H. Meyer March 4, 1895, at Van Horn, Iowa. To this union were born two sons and five daughters who with his wife survive him. The children are Eldo Degen, Miss Lillian Degen and Mrs. Peter Treiber of Ireton; Mrs. Martin Treiber and Mrs. Elza Hand of Hawarden; Edward Degen of Sioux Center; and Mrs. Joe Richardson of Adair, Iowa. He also leaves one half-brother, Henry Wittrock of St. Joseph, Mo., and a number of grandchildren.
Mr. Degen was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church.
* * * * * * * * * *
From the Ireton Ledger, December 4, 1941:
OCTOGENARIAN DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Hans Degen, retired farmer and resident of this community for 56 years, died at his home Monday evening, Dec. 1, at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 24 days, after a prolonged illness. Death was caused by the infirmities of old age.
Mr. Degen was born August 7, 1857, in Germany and was baptized there in the Lutheran Church. When he was nine years old he came to the United States and settled at Davenport where he lived for three years. He then moved to Luzerne and there he was confirmed March 24, 1878.
On March 4, 1885, he was married to Mary H. Meyer at Van Horn, Iowa. To this marriage ten children were born, three of whom preceded Mr. Degen in death.
Mr. Degen farmed one year in Benton County. In 1886 he moved to a farm north of Ireton where he lived until 1917 when he moved to Ireton.
He is survived by his wife and seven children: Eldo, Lillian and Mrs. Pete Trieber of Ireton; Mrs. Martin Trieber of Hudson; Edward of Sioux Center; Mrs. Joe Richardson of Adair; and Mrs. Elsie Hand of Hawarden. He also leaves 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 4, at 1:30 o’clock at the house and 2:00 at St. Paul’s Lutheran church, with the Rev. H. W. Krieger officiating.
* * * * * * * * * *
Briefer obituaries were published in other area newspapers.
His death certificate (informant Mrs. Ella Treiber) has Hans Degan, a retired farmer; wife Mary Meyer, age 73; born Aug. 7, 1857 in Germany; parents Claus Degan and Weipke Schrader; resident of the United States 78 years and of the Ireton community 56 years; died at 11 p.m. December 1, 1941; cause, senility; due to, arterio-sclerosis; buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Ireton.

OBITUARY OF MARY DEGEN
Mrs.Degen, 81, Dies at Ireton Was a Pioneer
Three Five-Generation Groups Included Among 60 Descendants; Rites Yesterday
Mrs. Mary Degen, 81, a pioneer of Ireton, died at her home Sunday morning.
Mrs. Degen suffered a fractured hip in a fall three weeks prior to her death. She was cared for a week in the Sacred Heart hospital in Le Mars following her injury after which she was in her home.
Mrs. Degen’s family included 69 descendants Among them were three five generation groups.
Funeral services were held in the home at 1:30 yesterday afternoon and at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Ireton at 2 o’clock with Rev. H. W. Krieger officiating, Burial was in the Ireton cemetery, Mary Meyer, daughter of William and Anna Meyer, was born November 6, 1868, at Luzerne, Iowa. She married Hans Degen March 4, 1885, at Van Horne, Benton county, Iowa. Following her marriage she lived in Benton county a year and then went to Ireton. She located on a farm, but 32 years ago, she and her husband retired and moved into Ireton. Mr. Degen died eight years ago. Her daughter, Miss Lillian, lived with her.
She was the mother of 10 children, three of whom preceded her in death. Her survivors are seven children, Miss Lillian and Eldo Degen of Ireton, Mrs. Peter Treiber, Mrs. Ella Treiber, Edward Degen and Mrs. E. A. Hand of Hawarden and Mrs. J. 0. Richardson of Elk Point; two brothers Fred Meyer, of Sibley and Wm. Meyer of Beresford; 19 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and three great- great-grandchildren; and 2 brothers, Fred Meyer of Sibley and Wm. Meyer of Beresford, S.D.
She was a charter member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church and a member of the Ladies Aid.
Source: Hawarden Independent of May 11, 1950

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