Leonard M. Degenhardt, 93, of Norwalk passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta.
Leonard M. Degenhardt was born April 14, 1916, to Henry and Catherine (Weibel) Degenhardt in the town of Jefferson, rural Cashton. He attended school at Sts. Peter and Paul’s School at Pine Hollow. Leonard graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse. After graduation he farmed with his family. On Oct. 15, 1938, Leonard was united in marriage to Margaret Schmitz, daughter of Peter and Margaret (Baus) Schmitz of Cashton. They were married on St. Mary’s Ridge. Together they farmed on an area farm from 1939–1947.
Leonard was elected treasurer of the St. Mary’s Cheese Factory and served two years as treasurer of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Parish at Pine Hollow. He was also elected AAA for the Town of Jefferson and appointed committeeman to the World War II bond drive.
Leonard, Margaret and family moved to Norwalk in 1947, when he started a successful business, Degenhardt Implement. Leonard was always very active in the community. He joined the Norwalk Fire Department and was elected president for a term; he was a charter member of the Norwalk Lions Club, serving two terms as president; he was a charter member of the Tri-Creek Watershed and elected as a director and later served as president; he was a member of the Norwalk Rod and Gun Club for many years and served as treasurer and secretary; and he was also appointed village marshal, a position he held for nearly 20 years.
Leonard’s faith was very strong, and he was a dedicated and faithful member of St. Augustine Parish in Norwalk. Here, he was a choir member, a eucharistic minister and a lector as well as a member of the finance council and pastoral council representing the parish at the Sparta Deanery level. Leonard was later appointed to the Diocesan Deanery Council in La Crosse. He was instrumental in getting funds together to start building a handicapped-accessible entrance to the church. He was very happy in the last few months, knowing that the construction has started.
Leonard is survived by seven sons, Gene Degenhardt of Norwalk, Reuben (Shirley) Degenhardt of Norwalk, Leonard Degenhardt Jr. of Norwalk, Arnie (Suann) Degenhardt of Norwalk, Bill (Julie) Degenhardt of Norwalk, Glen (Gloria) Degenhardt of Norwalk and Michael Degenhardt of La Crosse, WI; four daughters, Susan (Bob) Zietlow of Brea, Calif., Rita (David) Herlitzke of La Crosse, Gina (Pete) Pederson of Onalaska, Wis., and Madonna (John) Campion of Clearwater, Fla.; two sisters, Alberta Denton of Pierre, S.D., and Imelda Salnoske of Hampton, Va.; one brother, Gil (MaryLou) Degenhardt of San Diego, CA; 24 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; his Margaret, who passed Nov. 26, 2004, after 66 years of marriage; one brother, Omer, who passed April 20, 2001; two brothers-in-law, Frank Denton and Carl Salnoske; and one step-grandson, Brian Pederson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Norwalk. Father Keith Kitzhaber and Father Eric Berns will officiate. Burial will follow in the St. Augustine Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation at the church from 4–8 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to services Friday. Pallbearers will be Jim, Pete, Jon and Joe Degenhardt, Kyle Ostrem and David Herlitzke Jr. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the St. Augustine building fund for the church handicapped-accessible entrance or Masses for Leonard’s intention.
Thank you to the staff at the Morrow Memorial Home for the exceptional care and compassion given to Leonard over the years.
