Obituaries : Robert Carl Degner

Robert Degner

DYSART – Robert Carl Degner, 91, died Sunday, March 29, 2015, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at the Dysart United Methodist Church with Rev. Linda Butler officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Interment will be in the Dysart Cemetery.
Robert was born on the family farm in rural Dysart on December 16, 1923, the son of Carl F., Jr. and Ethel I. Walter Degner. He attended Dysart Consolidated School, graduating in 1941. Robert began farming before he graduated from high school due to his father being injured in an accident. He farmed until 1973 and then became an electrical contractor, opening his own business, Degner Electric. He was also a dealer for Clay Equipment in Dysart. His favorite job was driving the school bus.
On June 19, 1955, Robert was united in marriage with Mary Helen Whiteley at the First Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church in Dysart. She preceded him in death on July 7, 2011.
Robert was active in the Dysart United Methodist Church, serving on the Building Committee, teaching Sunday School and serving as Sunday School Superintendent. He also served on the Administrative Board for 50 years.
Robert served his community in many ways. He was a member of Tama County Farm Bureau, serving as President and voting delegate. He was on the Dysart Consolidated School Board. He was a Dysart Ambulance driver for many years and delivered Meals on Wheels for 20 years. He served on the Elder Advocate Board of the Dysart Nursing Home and was a Hospice volunteer for many years, including several years on the Cedar Valley Hospice Advisory Board. Robert was active in Lions Club, serving in club offices and as District Governor. He was given the Warren Coleman Award, a Melvin Jones Fellowship and the International President’s Medal. Last July, the Lions Club honored him as the Grand Marshall of the annual 4th of July parade.
His interests included his family, traveling, chess, Cubs baseball, Cyclone sports, and completing the New York Times crossword puzzle every day in the Des Moines Register.
Robert is survived by his daughter, Hope (Steve) Hix of Dysart; son Mark (Della) Degner of Eau Claire, WI; daughter-in-law Doris (Michael) Foster of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren: Hannah Hix, Owen Hix, Barry Degner, Tracy (Matt) Moklestad, Laura Degner and Marissa Degner; great-grandson Sawyer Moklestad; a niece and two nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; a son, Todd Robert Degner; and one brother, Earl Degner.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or Dysart United Methodist Church.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Robert and his family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.