Degen, Hans, 1857-1941

DEGEN, MEYER, SCHRADER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/30/2022 at 11:48:53

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, Ilwa. 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.

His FindaGrave.com page gives more family details: wife Mary Meyer Degen (1868-1950); children Willie Degen (unknown-1895), Amelia Degen Treiber (1886-1971), Ella Marie Degen Treiber (1887-1972), Mary Degen (1890-1895), Edward F. Degen (1894-1987), Eldo H. Degen (1896-1979), Alma Mathilda Degen (1897-1898), Alvina Richardson (1900-1988), Lillian I. Degen Coats (1902-1984), Elsie Christina Degen Hand (1905-1991). There is a photo of the joint headstone of Hans and Mary.