Joyce Degen

1935 - 2025

Joyce Degen

1935 - 2025

- Our beloved mother, Joyce L. Stewart Degen, passed away on December 30, 2025, in Murray, Utah.

She was born on December 24, 1935, to Lawrence and LaRue Stewart in Salt Lake City, Utah. She grew up in humble circumstances in the Ballpark District of Salt Lake City. She was the oldest of three children, with a brother, Larry, and a sister, Bonnie.

She graduated from South High School and attended the University of Utah, where she was a member of Lambda Delta Sigma. She developed lifelong friendships with many in the sorority, which continued throughout her life. While at the University of Utah, she met and married the love of her life, Erwin Degen. They were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on May 24, 1957. Together, they were the parents of five children: Tamara, Jeffrey, Sherrie, Chris, and Brendon.

While growing up, Joyce developed a lifelong love of reading and mathematics. Other hobbies she enjoyed included crocheting, knitting, and sewing for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also spent many years researching and writing the personal stories of her ancestors, keeping their history alive.

While raising her children, she ensured they developed their musical talents. She also made sure all her children were college educated, and that her sons served missions. During those years, she enjoyed scrapbooking and spending many evenings with her older children, sitting on the swing and feeling the night breezes. She loved flowers and always planted them in the yard.

She loved traveling with her family and went on many vacations together.

Joyce was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many callings, including Young Women, Primary, and Scouting. One of her favorite callings was serving in the Stake Primary Presidency.

Later in life, she was active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, where she served as Vice President and Camp Captain (President).

She deeply loved her family and worked to keep them close. One of her favorite traditions was singing Christmas carols on her birthday, always ending with "Silent Night." It was sung in English and, many times, in German as well.

She is survived by her children: Tamara Degen; Jeffrey (Laurie) Degen; Sherrie (Bob) Dimond; Chris Degen; and Brendon (Melissa) Degen; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; her brother, Larry (Marilyn) Stewart; her sister, Bonnie Poulsen; and her brother-in-law, Ron (Donnette) Degen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and LaRue Stewart; her husband, Erwin Degen; and her brother-in-law, Gary Poulsen.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A separate viewing will precede the funeral on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Services will be held at the Cottonwood 3rd Ward meetinghouse, located at 6380 South 2300 East, Holladay, Utah 84121. Interment will follow at the Murray City Cemetery.