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Elizabeth A. "Boots" Degen

Elizabeth Degen Obituary

RAPID CITY - Elizabeth A. "Boots" Degen, 74, Rapid City, died Monday, January 5, 2004, at her home after a 3 1/2 year battle with lung cancer. She was born October 24, 1929, in Parkston, SD, to Anthony and Elizabeth A. (Jungwirth) Kummer. She attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Parkston High School in 1947. Boots married Norbert J. "Bud" Degen on January 20, 1948, in Parkston. To this union eight children were born. Boots was a devoted mother and homemaker. She loved nothing more than cooking and caring for her family. Her home was a gathering place for numerous dinners and family parties, which gave her great joy. Her love of children led her to run a home daycare for over 35 years. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church since 1962, a member of the VFW Auxiliary, the Rushmore German Club, and the Rapid City Daycare Providers Association. She was also a volunteer member of Hospice of the Hills. She is survived by five sons, David (Anne) Degen, Spearfish, Bill (Dawn) Degen, Sioux Falls, Doug (Patty) Degen, Colorado Springs, CO, Bob (Barb) Degen, Rapid City, Barry (Donna) Degen, Rapid City; two daughters, Brenda (Mike) Whiting, Rapid City, and Donna (Brian) Busch, Rapid City; five brothers, Anthony "Sonny" (Kaye) Kummer, Mitchell, Norman (Pauline) Kummer, Parkston, Florian (Lorraine) Kummer, Parkston, Lewis (Joyce) Kummer, Omaha, NE, and Duane (Diana) Kummer, Mitchell; five sisters, Teresa Bigge, Sioux Falls, Joanne (Denny) Hegg, Mt. Vernon, Marlene Olson, Goldsboro, SC, Dorothy (Bill) Ozak, Visalia, CA, and Carol (Butch) Long, Omaha, NE; eleven grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, Daniel, and an infant son, Tommy. Visitation will be Friday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a Christian wake service at 7 p.m., at the Osheim-Catron Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in Boots' name to the Hospice of the Hills and the Cancer Care Institute, both in Rapid City.

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Published by Rapid City Journal from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Degen

13 Entries

Stephanie Romeo-Weyer

January 18, 2004

I am so sad to hear about Boots' passing. We were sadly out of town and I'm so sorry not to have been able to attend the funeral. I did get to tell Boots how very much she meant to me as a single parent taking such wonderful care of my daughter(s). I couldn't have wished for a better caretaker. I told Boots this story more than once. On my way home, with Chali, from a weekend trip to her father's house, we pulled in to the driveway at our house. Chali had fallen asleep and woke up when we pulled in. Immediately she said, "I wanna go to Bootsy's". There is no greater value than someone you can trust your children with and Boots certainly over-filled the gap when I wasn't there. Chali still says to this day that Boots made the best buttered noodles and green beans of anyone. Boots could get the girls to eat when I couldn't. She was truly one in a million and I already miss seeing her sweep her sidewalk. My sincere condolensces to all of the family.

Jolene Murphy

January 13, 2004

Brenda and all the Degen Kids, My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Your Mom was a gem, she seemed to have no limits on how many kids you brought home! Your house was always a great place to hang out as a teenager and I loved seeing Boots when I came home to visit as an adult. I know your Mom is safely home - I am sure our Blessed Mother was with her each day of her life as a mother and stayed with her until the end. May her soul rest in peace.

Jolene

Jerry Flaig

January 9, 2004

Boots was a very special person for me, she always had time for everyone and made them feel important no matter what. I spent a lot of my childhood years with the Degen family, and I would like them to know that it made me a better person as an adult. Boots was truly one of a kind.

Deb Daly

January 9, 2004

If mere words could only express the tears from my heart in the loss of such a wonderful woman. To Boots, everyone was family, and I feel so blessed for being able to be a part of that. I know my kids and I will be forever changed because of her incredible kindness and love. Please know, I keep each and every one of you in my thoughts and in my prayers. I only wish I could do more... All my love, Deb and kids.

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Mari Daly Hasby

January 9, 2004

Dearest Degens, we are so sad about the passing of dear Boots. It was always such a pleasure to see her face just light up when she was with her family and her seemingly endless energy when playing with her grandkids. What a beautiful, special person! We hope all of the wonderful memories, smiles,and laughter will be with you forever and bring you comfort and peace. Love, Mari (Daly) and Peter Hasby

Fr. Kerry Prendiville

January 8, 2004

Dave & Anne, My prayers go out to you and hope you will be consoled by the prayers of the whole Church and The Holy Spirit confirming your faith in the Resurrection. Peace, Fr. Kerry

Shirley Abelseth

January 8, 2004

My sincere sympathies to Bootsie's family. She made it easier for me to go to work, knowing my children were in her care. She was a wonderful, caring person.

Russ Banning

January 7, 2004

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR SYMPATHIES TO ALL THE DEGEN FAMILY MEMBERS. EVEN THOUGH I NEVER REALLY KNEW MRS.DEGEN I AM FORTUNATE TO KNOW MANY OF HER CHILDREN AND THEIR SPOUSES. IT IS OBVIOUS BY THEIR LOVING AND CARING PERSONALITIES THAT THROUGH THEM, SHE GAVE US ALL MANY CHERISHED MEMORIES. PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

RUSS AND JUDY BANNING

Bobbie (Dolberg)Augustine

January 7, 2004

I am so sad to hear of Boot's passing. May God bless each of you. Your were always great neighbor kids, and I think of you everytime the paper comes.

Suzanne Pearson (Ward)

January 7, 2004

Boots used to watch my brother & I when we were little kids in the late 70s & early 80s. She lived at the bottom of our street (Rio), and we loved her sandwiches & her home-grown carrots. We will miss seeing her outside sweeping her steps. My thoughts & prayers are with Bootsy's family.

Amy Moen (Eckholm)

January 7, 2004

Boots was a wonderful person, so sweet and caring. This world would be a better place if there were more people like her in it. Please know that I am thinking of all of you during this sad and difficult time.

Paula Arthur

January 7, 2004

To the family of "Boots" I would like to extend my sincere sympathies. I worked with Donna B. at the Eye Institute for quite a few years and knew her brother, Barry, through our association. I know Donna always spoke lovingly of her mom and her family. I never had the chance to meet "Boots" but from meeting and getting to know Donna and Barry I assume she was as kind hearted and loving as her children. To Donna and Barry especially I would like you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of loss and I pray that you all will find peace with the help of our good Lord.

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