Obituary for Jeanette Bernice "Jen" Degner (Stelter)
Jeanette (Bernice) Degner (Jen), age 88, of Eden Prairie, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, Lori Pipal, February 16, 2021. Having walked her entire life in the Christian faith, she died with certainty of her eternal life with Jesus.
Jen was born on January 18, 1933 on the family farm near Echo, MN. She attended the University of Minnesota, at 16 years of age, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. She met Larry Degner at the Gamma Delta choir, and they married on June 27, 1954. Together they raised a family, supported Lutheran churches and schools, built a business, and traveled the world.
Jen was a lifelong servant and community volunteer. She volunteered at Victory and Mt. Calvary Lutheran churches, including many years leading the Sunday School, led Bible studies, taught ESL, volunteered at an adult daycare, was a hospice volunteer, and donated blood to Red Cross. She was very proud of her many gallons of donated blood.
This beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many enjoyed conversations regarding religion, politics and sports. She often gave her opinion without flinching or an apology. She was deeply patriotic, and it was important to have a flag flying at her home.
Her irreplaceable laughter and love will be missed. Most of all, this humble woman will be remembered for her fierce faith in Christ. She taught us to live in faith and die with grace and dignity
Jen is survived by daughters Lori (Rob) Pipal of Mankato; Gail (Dave) Mattern of Olathe, KS; Kay (Will) Roundey of St. Charles, MO; son Tim (Sheila) Degner of Golden Valley. Her thirteen grandchildren were the light of Jen’s life: Greg Pipal (Amanda), Stephanie Fischer (Nick), Joelle Julian (Alex), Emmalee Baressi (Ben), Jacob Mattern, Rachel Fisher (Alec), Ellen Young (Pierce), Madelyn Chaussee (Marcus), Rebekah Roundey, Emilia Roundey, Laura Degner, Tom Degner and Margaret Degner. She has eleven great grandchildren who adoringly called her “Gigi”: Autumn, Adeline, Sam, Isabella, Jack, Beau, Jack, Summer, Lucy, Reagan, Peter and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Larry Degner, her parents Walter and Emma Stelter, and her siblings Arline, Adeline, Marvin and Lorraine.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 27 at Victory Lutheran Church, 16200 Berger Dr, Eden Prairie. Visitations will be held prior to the service at 10:00 AM. The service will be livestreamed on Victory Lutheran Church facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Kingdom Workers or Victory Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie.
Jen was born on January 18, 1933 on the family farm near Echo, MN. She attended the University of Minnesota, at 16 years of age, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. She met Larry Degner at the Gamma Delta choir, and they married on June 27, 1954. Together they raised a family, supported Lutheran churches and schools, built a business, and traveled the world.
Jen was a lifelong servant and community volunteer. She volunteered at Victory and Mt. Calvary Lutheran churches, including many years leading the Sunday School, led Bible studies, taught ESL, volunteered at an adult daycare, was a hospice volunteer, and donated blood to Red Cross. She was very proud of her many gallons of donated blood.
This beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many enjoyed conversations regarding religion, politics and sports. She often gave her opinion without flinching or an apology. She was deeply patriotic, and it was important to have a flag flying at her home.
Her irreplaceable laughter and love will be missed. Most of all, this humble woman will be remembered for her fierce faith in Christ. She taught us to live in faith and die with grace and dignity
Jen is survived by daughters Lori (Rob) Pipal of Mankato; Gail (Dave) Mattern of Olathe, KS; Kay (Will) Roundey of St. Charles, MO; son Tim (Sheila) Degner of Golden Valley. Her thirteen grandchildren were the light of Jen’s life: Greg Pipal (Amanda), Stephanie Fischer (Nick), Joelle Julian (Alex), Emmalee Baressi (Ben), Jacob Mattern, Rachel Fisher (Alec), Ellen Young (Pierce), Madelyn Chaussee (Marcus), Rebekah Roundey, Emilia Roundey, Laura Degner, Tom Degner and Margaret Degner. She has eleven great grandchildren who adoringly called her “Gigi”: Autumn, Adeline, Sam, Isabella, Jack, Beau, Jack, Summer, Lucy, Reagan, Peter and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Larry Degner, her parents Walter and Emma Stelter, and her siblings Arline, Adeline, Marvin and Lorraine.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 27 at Victory Lutheran Church, 16200 Berger Dr, Eden Prairie. Visitations will be held prior to the service at 10:00 AM. The service will be livestreamed on Victory Lutheran Church facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Kingdom Workers or Victory Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie.