Josephine Degerman, 94, of Mill City, died April 25, 2024. She was born July 28, 1929, in Russellville, Ark., to Savannah and John Thomas Burkhead.
Orphaned at 8 years old, Josephine was raised by her half-sister, Ona Nowlin. During the Dust Bowl she moved to California and settled in Stockton.
In 1951, she married Carl Degerman, a peach farmer in Escalon, California. Carl built their home where they lived until 2002, raising their two daughters, Anita and Carolyn, and farming peaches and almonds. In 2002, they moved to Mill City to be closer to Carolyn and Dave Halemeier.
Josephine will be remembered for the respectful, caring and joyful nature she possessed. Her love for Jesus, her family and all those she encountered was central to her life. Her love of children touched many as she served in the church nursery for more than 30 years. Farming, canning, fruit drying, sewing, gardening, fishing and hunting were her favorite pastimes.
Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Carl.
She is survived by daughter, Anita Couchman (Tim) and Carolyn Halemeier (Dave); grandchildren, Cyndie Anderson (Carl), Kristi McMahon (Devon), Elisa Miller (Aubrey), Joshua Halemeier (Kelsey), Heidi Halemeier, and Janette (JJ) Halemeier – soon to be Ellison (Brian); and great-grandchildren Jude, Wesley and Samuel Anderson, Taylor, Zoe, and Eleanor McMahon, Juniper Miller, Lucy Halemeier, and Carter and Caden Halemeier.
A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. May 10, 2024, at Burwood Cemetery, 28320 E River Road, Escalon, California. A time of sharing stories and visiting friends will be held following the graveside service at Trinity Church Fellowship Hall, 1900 California Street, Escalon. All are welcome.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Mill City, Oregon.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you may donate to a charity of your choice.
For more information, contact Deegan Funeral Chapel at https://www.deeganfuneralchapels.com/ or call (209) 838-7321.
