Elaine Degnan

We are saddened by the passing of Elaine Degnan from St. Charles, MN, on October 18th, 2017 at Cottagewood Senior Community in Rochester, MN with family by her side. Her journey with dementia is finally over and she is at peace.
On July 21st, 1932, Elaine was born at home in Utica, MN to Lewis and Florence (Anderson) Mundt. She attended country school and graduated from St. Charles High School, the Class of 1950.
While working as a cashier at the Stockton Store and at National T in Winona she met her soon-to-be husband and life-long fishing partner William "Bill" Degnan. He caught her love and they married on October 24th, 1951 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Minneiska.
They were farmers that planted a life for their six children. She loved cooking, baking pies, gardening, and canning. She was always the first to welcome you in for a cup of coffee, a home baked sweet, a chat, and a loving smile.
Holidays were filled with grandchildren standing around the piano singing while she played the classic songs from memory. Her favorites included; "You are my Sunshine", "Jingle Bells", and "My Wild Irish Rose". She expressed her love of the countryside through her paintings. Her talents were passed on to her children and grandchildren.
Elaine was involved in Church, Catholic Daughters and the VFW. Many would see her out and about walking her dogs, that she loved very much or selling Avon to family and friends.
Being born during the depression instilled in her a "make-do" attitude whether it was with food, a home, or work that had to be done. She had a mothers love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All were precious to her.
She will be missed by her loving family. Survivors include five children, Kathy (Jerry) Edwards of St. Charles and their children; Shane (Kelle), Sara, Layne (Betsi), Elizabeth (Carl) Cosby; Marilynn (Dennis) Redig of Detroit Lakes and their children, Heather (Kyle) Egenes, Brian (Marina), Daniel (Rachel) and Katie (Kelly) Collins; Bill (Lisa) Degnan Jr. and his children, Dan, Jamie, Tina and Jessika; Susan (John) Mundy of Wabasha; and Thomas (Lisa) Degnan of Boynton Beach, FL, and their children, Matthew Tito, Brandon Bailey, Amanda (Shana) Degnan, Arielle (Shane) Braun and Ryan Degnan; Her deceased daughter, Linda Reps' children, Melissa (Tom) Shea, Adam "Boomer" (Dana) Reps, and Mekenzie (Chris) Hoff, 24 great-grandchildren, two brothers, George (Yula) Mundt of Chatfield and Raymond (Ruby) Mundt of Spring Valley, a sister Donna Johns (Mike Stetler) of Deer River and sisters-in-law, Lynn Mundt of Utica; Mary Holzer of Stewartville; and Joanie Dorsey of Santa Clara, CA. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, daughter Linda Reps, brother Larry Mundt, son-in-law Pete Reps, and sister-in-law Judy Mundt.
A Funeral Mass for Elaine will be at 11am, Monday October 23rd at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles Church in St. Charles with the Reverend Tim Biren officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church from 4-8pm Sunday and one hour before services on Monday. Please share a memory of Elaine at her on-line guestbook and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Service of St. Charles is assisting the family with arrangements.