Joseph DeGeest

Joseph F. DeGeest, age 91, of Staples, passed away Thursday afternoon at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples. Funeral Services are on Monday, November 20, at 11:00 at St Johns Lutheran Church of Motley, with Rev. Edward Koehler officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-7 at Brenny Funeral Home in Staples. Interment will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples. Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples. Joseph Faye DeGeest, Sr. was born March 9, 1915 in Graettinger, Iowa to the late Levi and Susan (McComb) DeGeest. He moved to the Leader area at the age of 16. He was united in marriage to Louise Junker on September 22, 1936 at St Johns Lutheran Church, Motley. Joe was baptized and confirmed at St Johns on December 11, 1938. The couple lived and farmed in Byron Township. He also did carpentry work. He enjoyed fishing and hunting  especially deer hunting. Joe served on the country school board as treasurer and on the Byron Town board as supervisor for many years and the St. Johns Lutheran Church Council. Joe is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Everett, Emmett, Melvin, Glen, and sister Bertha Truesdell. He is survived by his wife, Louise; 1 daughter, Ellen (Robert) Seel of Cambridge; sons, Donald (Joan), Joe, Jr. (Janet) of Motley, Charles (Olivia) of Cushing, Rodney (Carol) of Everett, WA., and Leland DeGeest. 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Mary (Paul) Beers of Motley, sisters-in law, Alma (Glen) DeGeest of Motley, and Eleanor Hellevang, Spicer, MN.