Richard G. Degnitz, age 96, of Fillmore, passed away Thursday March 27, 2008 at Aurora Medical Center-Hartford.
He was born on February 18, 1912 on the family homestead farm in the Town of Farmington to the late Gustav and Linda (nee Goldammer) Degnitz. He attended Fillmore State Graded School and then started working on the family farm he eventually owned as the fourth generation.
On August 28, 1937 Richard was united in marriage to Minnie Koenig at St. Martin's United Church of Christ in Fillmore.
Richard was a member and executive board member of the Pathways of Light Church in Kiel. Although farming is a demanding lifestyle, Richard found time to be involved in many other ways. He was a member or former member of the Washington County Farm Bureau, D.H.I.A. (Dairy Heard Improvement Assoc.), School Board, Mill Board, Town of Farmington Assessor, Turner Society, Fillmore Fire Dept., and Saxonia Historical Society. He also worked as a machinist for Mid Cities Tool & Die, and as a farm soil tester.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Minnie; two children, Evelyn Wolff of West Bend, and James (Nancy) Degnitz of Fillmore; five grandchildren, Kurt (Sarah) Wolff of Middleton, Jeffrey (Penny) Wolff of Cedar Rapids, IA, Todd (Cheryl) Wolff of West Bend, Andrew (Michelle) Degnitz of Fillmore, and Jennifer (Richard) Feider of Beechwood; eleven great-grandchildren, Krista, Naomi, Noah, Leah, Stephanie, Zachary, Rebecca, Adam, Ethan, Logan, and Grady; a sister-in-law, Betty Erdman of West Bend; along with three grand-dogs, Bear, Natalie, and Duncan; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Faith Degnitz; two sisters, Esther Degnitz, Irma and her husband Elmer Bretschneider; a brother and his wife, Walter and Amanda Degnitz; and a son-in-law, Gerald Wolff.
A memorial service to remember Richard will be held on Tuesday April 1st at 7:00 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, West Bend. Rev. Robert Stoelting will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until the time of service. Memorials to Saxonia House or Pathways of Light Church are appreciated. Burial of Richard's cremated remains will be held at a later date in St. Martin's Cemetery, Fillmore.
The family wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude to Dr. Jahnke and the staff of Aurora Medical Center-Hartford, for the loving care Richard received.