Rita Degen, 98, formerly of Plymouth, passed away in the early morning hours of September
20th at Pine Haven Christian Communities where she was a resident for the past four years.
She was born January 15, 1928 in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, to Karl Otto Koch and Auguste
(Plass) Koch, and baptized in the Reformed Church in Schötmar, Germany.
Rita attended elementary school in Sheboygan Falls, WI and secondary school in
Braunschweig, Germany. In 1944, she graduated from the business college of Braunschweig
and worked as an interpreter for the British Military Occupation Government in the department
of Education and Religious Affairs. She emigrated back to Sheboygan in 1946 and worked as a
legal secretary in the law firm of Buchen, Federer, Grote and Hesslink. From 1946 to 1953, she
sponsored and coordinated the return of her brother, her parents and close family friends from
Germany to the United States.
On June 28, 1953, Rita married George D. Degen of Sheboygan in a rose garden ceremony
performed by Pastor Louis Huber of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Sheboygan. The couple made
their home in Sheboygan where their first child Debra was born. The family later moved to
Plymouth where their children Thomas, Ronald and Patricia were born and raised.
In addition to raising four children, she devoted many years to community service working
part-time for the American Red Cross and the Sheboygan County Fair Office. Her volunteer
work included the Plymouth Food Pantry, Plymouth Arts Center, Plymouth Historical Society and the Generations Center. She gave significant support to St. John Lutheran Church and School, Plymouth, WI where she was a long-time member. She was an accomplished artist, seamstress, gardener and avid golfer.
Maintaining a connection to her German heritage was very important to Rita. She ensured her
children appreciated their German roots, she maintained German traditions, she offered
translation services and actively participated in Gesangverein “Concordia” Sheboygan as both a
passive member and active singer along with her husband, George.
Rita and George enjoyed traveling and crossed the country numerous times with friends and
family. They traveled often to Europe where they visited family and explored new countries. In
retirement, they spent part of the winter in Green Valley, AZ and increased their wide circle of
friends.
The beauty of nature brought Rita great joy. She was optimistic, determined and creative. She
chose to see the good in others and focus on their best qualities. Rita set an amazing example
for her family and for all who knew her.
Rita is survived by her four children, Debra (Mark) Zimmer of Howards Grove, WI, Thomas
(Meredith) Degen of Madison, WI, Ronald (Christopher) Degen of Chicago, IL, and Patricia
(Andrew) Mahoney of Evansville, WI.; five grandchildren and one great grandchild, George
(Jenny) Degen and son John, Thekla (Rina) Min, Eleanor Degen, Henry Degen, and Julia
Mahoney.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents Karl and Auguste Koch,
mother and father-in-law, Delmar and Hilma Degen, her brother and sister-in-law Carl and
Marjorie Koch as well as sister-in-law Virginia Ferguson and her husband Reverend Lowell
Ferguson, brother-in-law, Richard Degen and his wife Laverne Degen.
“To live in the hearts of those we love and leave behind is not to die”
A memorial service for Rita will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Zimmer Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center, W2132 Garton Rd, in Howards Grove. Family will greet visitors at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. A private inurnment will be held at the Wildwood Cemetery in Sheboygan.
The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Pine Haven and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the compassionate care provided to Rita. They would also like to thank the friends whose visits, companionship, and thoughtfulness brought her comfort while at Pine Haven.
Zimmer Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center, is honored to care for Rita and her family. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting our website at www.zimmerfuneralhome.com.
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