David “Digger” D. Degener, 65, of the Town of Matteson, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
David was born on Feb. 25, 1957, in Shawano as the son of Sally (Krause) Degener and the late Roland Degener. David served in the Army National Guard and was united in marriage to Mary Wollenberg on May 20, 1978, in Sherwood. The couple had a daughter, Kristine, and later divorced.
As a young man, David lived in Sherwood, where he worked for Mader Implement and after its closure went to work for the Mader family on their farm. David spent many years working for Brillion Iron Works and in 2016 moved back to the area and was currently employed at Arrowcast in Shawano.
David was affectionately known as “Digger” by his buddies. He looked forward to sturgeon spearing every year on Lake Winnebago with his friend and hunting buddy Glen Brandenburg. Digger also enjoyed working on cars over the years with another close friend Jeff Kalies.
David had a love of the outdoors. Whether it was camping, hunting, or fishing he loved spending time with his family. It could have been on his hunting land, up on Pine Lake near Hiles, or just sitting around with a can of Old Style in his hand, but David enjoyed nothing more than sharing his love of the outdoors and life knowledge with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his daughter, Kristine (Jeff) LaViolette; grandchildren, Chase and Madelyn LaViolette; mother, Sally Degener; sisters, Sue (Wayne) Malliet and Donna (Kevin) Huebner; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roland; a brother, Keith; and a sister, Shirley (Bill) Buschel.
David’s funeral service will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022, at noon at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home and Crematory in Clintonville with the Rev. Todd Jerabek officiating. Military honors will be conducted at the funeral home following the service by members of the Clintonville American Legion Post 63, VFW Post 664, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63, and DAV Chapter 53. Interment will take place at a later date at the Friendship Cemetery in the Town of Belle Plaine. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
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David D. Degener
