1934 – Peter “Pete” Anthony DeGreeff – 2018
Pete DeGreeff was born on October 30, 1934 in Dell Rapids, South Dakota to Peter P. and Clasina VanDam DeGreeff. In 1936 the family moved to a farm near Chandler, Minnesota. Pete graduated from Chandler High School in 1952. Pete enlisted in the United States Navy on October 20, 1955. Following his discharge on August 5, 1959 he returned to the family farm. On April 25, 1960 he and Gordena “Gordie” Lentz were married at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, Minnesota. Following their marriage they made their home in Slayton for one year before moving to the DeGreeff family farm near Chandler. Pete also was a Supervisor for Jacques Seed and a District Manager for Mycogen Seed and Producers Seed Companies for many years. In 1995 they moved to Slayton and retired in 2006. Pete passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at the age of 83. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Lake Wilson, Minnesota where he served as Communion Minister, Trustee, Lector, and Religious Ed Teacher and on the church council. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Lake Wilson American Legion Post. Pete served as President of the Minnesota Township Board Association, and was a Leeds Township Councilman. Pete enjoyed spending time with family, woodworking, playing cards, shaking dice, telling jokes, visiting with friends, yard work and his “Honey-Do” projects.
Survivors include his wife Gordie DeGreeff, Slayton, MN; five children and their spouses: Paul and Lisa DeGreeff, Cottonwood, MN, Julie and Ken Steenstra, Hadley, MN, Dean and Deb DeGreeff, Chandler, MN, LuAnn and Ken Hasbrouck of Sioux Falls, SD, and Troy and Kim DeGreeff, Slayton, MN; one daughter-in-law Julie DeGreeff, Pembroke Pines, FL; 13 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; four siblings: John DeGreeff, Slayton, MN, Arnold DeGreeff and his wife Janet, Slayton, MN, Rose Drager, Zimmerman, MN, and Steve DeGreeff and his wife Ellie, Spicer, MN; one sister-in-law Dolores DeGreeff, Zimmerman, MN and several nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Todd DeGreeff; infant sister Katherine DeGreeff; two sisters and their spouses: Dorothy and Ed Gannon, Nellie and Bill Mercer; two brothers: Nick DeGreeff and Jim DeGreeff; brother-in-law Marvin Drager and sister-in-law Joan DeGreeff.
Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Wilson, MN on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating. The organist was Patty LeClaire. The song leader was Sue Bau. The pallbearers were Adam Barry, Chris Peterson, Aaron Peterson, Taylor Steenstra, Cole DeGreeff, Ryan DeGreeff and Connor DeGreeff. Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN. Military honors accorded by the Lake Wilson American Legion Post.Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
