Wilmar W. Degenhardt of Altenburg, passed away on October 28, 2023. He was born on March 24, 1925 on the Degenhardt family farm in the Seelitz Community, northeast of Altenburg, where he was raised.
He was the son of August and Mathilda nee Poppitz Degenhardt, was baptized on March 29, 1925 and then confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 10, 1938 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg MO. Wilmar strongly professed his Lutheran faith, as a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod at churches in Wisconsin and Missouri. His favorite bible verse was Ephesians 2, verse 8. For by GRACE I am saved through FAITH and this is not of my own doing: IT IS the GIFT of GOD. His family rejoices that he is now with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
After his graduation from Perryville High School, he was chosen for the Y-12 Program, which educated young men during WWII in engineering so they would be available for the war effort. He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Texas - Austin. After the war, he worked for the Case Farm Machinery Company in Racine Wisconsin. He later worked for Carter Carburetor Company in St Louis, from which he retired. He volunteered at Concordia Publishing House in St Louis, and at other church functions. He also spent much time helping his sister Paula Holt in Altenburg, and his brother Reinhold on the family farm.
He is survived by nephews & nieces; Larry (Pearline) Degenhardt of St. Louis, Dewey (Marilyn) Degenhardt of Jefferson City, MO, Lynn Degenhardt of Altenburg, Dean (Marg) Degenhardt of Lisle, IL, Connie Levy of Columbia MO, Leon Holt of Grand Rapids MI, Ruby Lehman of Cape Girardeau, and Sally Ann (Don) Chester of West Palm Beach FL.
