119 Third Street Southwest ~ Rugby, North Dakota ~ 58368-1797
Chapel of the Cross ~ Towner, North Dakota
Jon M. Stork - President / Licensed Director
Phone: 701.776.6381 ~ 701.537.5130
Fax: 701.776.5916
email: afhrugbytowner@gondtc.com
 |
Leo Degenstein
Leo James Degenstein, the son of James and Phyllis (Tuchscherer) Degenstein, was born December 23, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. He died at the age of 84 years on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at the Trinity Medical Center in Minot, North Dakota. Leo spent his young years in Chicago for a short time before his parents moved him along with his brother and sister to the Rugby area in 1931 and to the Barton area in 1935 where the family made their home. After completing his education he enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 13, 1951. He was stationed in Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone for two terms and in Greenland for two terms. He was Honorably Discharged on January 12, 1954. Leo returned to the Barton area to farm and ranch. On June 19th, 1956, he was united in marriage to Magdalena Kuntz at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby, North Dakota. To this union four children were born. Leo and Maggie remained in the Barton area until retiring and moving to Rugby in 1990. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby, a charter member of the Rugby Eagles and was on the Rural Fire Department Board since 1978. He leaves many relatives and friends and will be missed everyday. Leo is survived by his wife, Maggie of 56 years; children, Leo Jay (Julie) of Westminster, CO, Gary of Rugby, Delores (Jasper Jr.) Kleinjan of Horace, and Brenda (Bill) Muffenbier of Fargo; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Jay Loughman) of Rugby, James R. Degenstein of Valley City, Alexandrea, Rachel and Leo John all of Westminster, CO, Jasper Kleinjan III of Horace, and Jacob Kleinjan of Bismarck; four great grandchildren, Brittany, Christian, Emma and Hayley Loughman all of Rugby; a brother, Kenneth of Rugby; sisters-in-law, Eva Wylie of Arizona, Cecilia (Marvin) Heil of Grand Forks, Theresa (Leonard) Wangler of Balta; brothers-in-law, Anton (Jane) Kuntz of Rugby, Ray (Lois) Kuntz of Lake Shore, MN; many nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Delores Neigum; a grandchild, Cyrus Degenstein; his in laws, Julius and Mary Kuntz; and his parents. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby. Burial with full military honors accorded by the Clarence Larson American Legion Post # 23 – Honor & Color Guard of Rugby and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honor Detail will be in the church cemetery. Father Tom Graner, Celebrant. Visitation: from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby. There will be no reviewal in the Church Rosary and Vigil prayers will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home. |
Posted Condolences:
Grandfather
Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul’s sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul’s at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed.
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts, In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.
- Author Unknown
Thinking of you Alex, Rachel and Leo John. Love Aunt Mary Kay
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May you draw strength from family and friends and know your loved one is in good hands.
Sincerely, Mark & Elizabeth Garrett & Family
Our prayer and thought are with you all at this difficult time. We will miss him as will many other.
Love you Cecilia and Marvin Heil
Remembering the Rugby days & seeing Leo (you, too, Maggie) Take care. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Angie Ross
We are so sorry to hear of Leo's passing. He was a good man and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We pray God will provide your family thestrength to get through this difficult time.
John, Jill, and John Michael Heil
You will be dearly missed. I always enjoyed visiting with you!! Thanks for the laughter, hugs, and for being you!!! God Bless you and Maggie and your family always!!
Sincerely, Tracy Hageness
Leo was a great man. He was very kind to me and in many ways, I thought of him as "another father". I will miss him but will think of him often. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Art Gravenstein (The kid with all the questions)
Send Condolences by Completing this Section: