Surnames: Degen, Veenendaal, Shupe, Witt

----Source: The Loyal Tribune, 30 April 1942

Degen, Rev. August (26 MAY 1885 - 27 APR 1942)

The Rev. August Degen, pastor of Cross Lutheran church in Burlington for almost 17 years, died Monday afternoon at Wisconsin General hospital, Madison, after an illness of one year. He was 57.

Rev. Degen was born at Loyal, Wisconsin, May 26, 1885, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Degen. He attended primary schools at Loyal, and later entered Luther college and seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating from the theological seminary there in the spring of 1915.

Following his ordination, Rev. Degen was called to a mission parish at Morse, Saskatchewan, where he remained for a year. In the fall of 1916 he accepted a call to Birnamwood, Wisconsin, and served three congregations there for six years.

While at Birnamwood, on January 2, 1918, he was married to Miss Bertha Krull.

Rev. Degen was then called to a mission congregation at Elroy, Wis., by the synodical mission board, and served there for 13 months. In the spring of 1924 he came to Cross Evangelical Lutheran church, Burlington, and was installed as pastor here on July 13, succeeding the Rev. E. V. Schroeder.

Remodeling of Luther hall into the present Cross church was one of the many plans carried out by the congregation under his guidance and encouragement. He served Cross church until ill health made it necessary for him to retire nearly a year ago.

Surviving Rev. Degen are his wife and four children- Mrs. Gertrude Veenendaal, Loudensville, Ohio; Marcella Degen, Columbus, Ohio. and Elnora and Bernhard, at home. He is also survived by three brothers, Herman, who lives in the state of Washington; Albert, who lives in New Hampshire, and Frank, West Allis; and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Shupe and Mrs. August Witt, both of Loyal, Wis.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Cross Lutheran church. Services were in charge of old associates of Rev. Degen. Burial was in the Burlington cemeteryBurlington Free Press.