Full Obituary

 
     BONNIE J. DEGENHARDT, age 89, of Loyal, WI, passed away at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center in Owen, on Sunday, October 8, 2023, and took the Lord’s hand to walk through his heavenly gates.  There waiting for her was the love of her life Harvey Degenhardt who passed away on July 19, 2023.  Funeral services for both Bonnie & Harvey will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal.  Rev. Gregory Michaud will officiate, and burial will follow in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be: Christopher Degenhardt, Abby Fellenz, Ryan Degenhardt, Steve Tesch, Matt Degenhardt and Kevin Fellenz.  Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 4pm to 7pm, with a 7pm Knights of Columbus rosary service, and again on Saturday, from 9:30am until time of service.
     Bonnie Jean Schmidtke was born to Otto and Flossie Olive (Davis) Schmidtke on October 14, 1933, in Fremont Township, Clark County, WI.  She received her education and graduated from Loyal High School in 1951.  On September 18, 1951, she married her high school sweetheart Harvey James Degenhardt.  They spent 72 years together raising a family of six children.  Bonnie was a stay-at-home wife and was a childcare provider.  For several years, she worked seasonally at Figi’s in Marshfield.  She enjoyed embroidering dish cloths and diligently made sure each child, grandchild, and great-great grandchild received a set of her handiwork.  In this modern era of computers, Bonnie still kept in touch with all family members with good ole fashioned handwriting of letters, sending cards, whether it was for a birthday, anniversary, holiday.  She watched her sons go away to serve our country in the Marines, Army, and Airforce, and return home safely.  She was very proud of seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren to continue this legacy.
     She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and its PCCW.  Bonnie was also an active member of the Loyal American Legion Post #175 Ladies Auxiliary.
     Bonnie will be missed her her children: Jim (Theresa), Arthur (Patricia), Christine (Gary) Stetz, Bruce (Shannon), Marie (Terry) Schoer, and Rosann (Kevin) Fellenz; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; two sisters: Luanne Baker and Lola Brown; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
     She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey, on July 19, 2023; her parents; one sister, Norita Ella Adler, and one brother, Otto Algene Schmidtke. 
     On behalf of the Degenhardt family, a special thank you to all the staff at the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center for their care, kindness and help with making Bonnie comfortable during her final days.