Irwin Degnan

IRWIN "IRISH" DEGNAN

Guttenberg

Irwin "Irish" J. Degnan, 96, was born Feb. 12, 1919, in Guttenberg to John and Anna (Nigg) Degnan, the third in a family of seven children. He passed away with his two loving daughters by his side on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, at the Guttenberg Care Center.

Irish graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1936. He attended Columbia (Loras) College and graduated from Upper Iowa and later entered law school at Drake University. He was a decorated war veteran, including the Silver Star, and served his country proudly in the U.S. Army in both Europe and the Pacific during World War II to include the 28th Infantry and other campaigns and the Army Headquarters V Corps – the unit specifically created for the top-secret invasion of Normandy, France, of which he was the security control officer and carried classified documents specific to the D-Day invasion, where he landed on Omaha Beach. He entered the Army in 1941 and received honorable discharge on Nov. 15, 1945. Later he was recalled for the Korean conflict from 1950 to 1952 as a commanding officer.

On Sept. 2, 1950, Irish was united in marriage in Des Moines with Shirley Schabacker and they were married for 55 years.

Irish sold life insurance for Northwestern Mutual, achieving the million-dollar round table, established Degnan Insurance & Realty in 1953, and owned and operated his agency for 34 years. In addition, he enjoyed being a dealer and independent contractor for Hilton and Trademark Homes.

Irish was among the citizens who were instrumental in forming Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, Guttenberg Care Center, Industrial Park and Guttenberg Golf & Country Club. He was a member of the Guttenberg Rotary Club, American Legion, VFW, KCs, and was involved in numerous other civic/commerce groups and projects. He was an active member of St. Mary's Church, serving as an Eucharistic minister, lector and choir member over the years.

Irish enjoyed working on and collecting old cars, boating, following politics and current events, coin collecting, working in his yard, spending time aboard his house boat (The Irish Mist) with his family and taking summer family vacations.

He loved to sing and had a great love of all music that continued throughout his entire life. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family and meeting new people. Later he enjoyed painting, car rides and working on jigsaw puzzles.

Irish is survived by his two daughters, Peggy Degnan of Guttenberg and Jann (Mark) Degnan Duffin of Brooklyn, N.Y.; three siblings, Mercedes Schappler of Nashua, N.H., Dr. Donald Degnan of Dubuque and Marion Jacobs of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Irish was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley; two brothers, Judge L. Jack Degnan and Dr. Edward Degnan; and one sister, Annette Ellsworth.

Arrangements are being handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, 207 S. First St., Guttenberg, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, and one hour before services at the church. Funeral services will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, with the Rev. Marvin Bries officiating. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Guttenberg.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's, Guttenberg Hospital and Guttenberg Veterans Monument.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Guttenberg Hospital /ER and ambulance staff, Guttenberg Care Center and Hospice of St. Croix.