George Alphonse Degonda

Born: October 15, 1888

Place: St. Henry, Minnesota

Parents: Jacob Anthony Degonda,

Dora Maria (Livers) Degonda

Married: June 28, 1916

Age: 27

Wife: Mary Ann Weber

Children: 3

Death: April 25, 1970

Age: 81

George A. Degonda was born 15 October 1888 in St. Henry, Minnesota. He was the son of Jacob Anthony and Dora Marie Degonda. George attended school in St. Henry and worked on the family farm until 1907 when the family moved to Le Sueur Center.

On 28 June 1916, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Weber, the daughter of Nicholas and Frances (Tambornino) Weber at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Le Sueur Center. Mary was a member of the American Legionand VFW Auxiliaries and the Church Circle at St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was an active participant withher husband in most of his business ventures. George and Mary had three sons.

Early on, George showed his enterprising desire to be on his own. His business ventures were many:

1. About 1909, George went to work for the U.S. Governmentas a rural mail carrier on Route 4, Le Sueur Center.

2. Operated the territory agency for the distribution of Standard Oil products.

3. Business partner in the Ford garage in Le Sueur Center, operating under the name of Zika-Degonda Ford Garage of Le Center.

4. Partner in the dray business in Le Sueur Center,operating under the name of Degonda and Dunn.

5. Deputy Sheriff of Le Sueur County.

6. Business partner in the Janda-Degonda Tavern/Pool Hall.

7. Owned and operated a gravel mining business and supervised a fleet of gravel trucks.

8. Owned and operated Park View Club, an on/off sale liquorstore located across from the present Le Sueur County Courthouse.

9. First manager of the Le Center Municipal Liquor Store, 1948 to 1954.

George was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was an active member of the L.e Center Fire Department for about 30 years.

Upon retirement in 1954, George and wife Mary enjoyed their large garden at home in Le Center and their cabin on Lake Jefferson near Cleveland.

George A. died on 25 April 1970 at the age of 81 and isburied in Calvary Cemetery.

Their three children are:

l. George Nicholas DeGonda, Jr.: born 26 May 1917 and passed away 12 January 1991 in Le Sueur. He married Luciel Stanek, 24 July 1941, in Montgomery, Minnesota. George and Luciel lived in Le Sueur, Minnesota. They had three children, Mary Lucille DeGonda, David George DeGonda and Margaret Ann (Peggy) DeGonda.

2. William Weber DeGonda: born 20 October 1925. He married Rosemary Bednar, 25 June 1949, in New Prague, Minnesota. They resided in Bloomington, Minnesota. They had three children, Gregory John DeGonda, Steven William DeGonda and Paul George DeGonda.

3. Rlchard Charles DeGonda: born 28 July 1935. He marriedMary Jo Stueve, 20 September 1958, in Mankato, Minnesota. They live in Bloomington, Minnesota. They had two children, Patricia Jo (Patti) DeGonda and Timothy John DeGonda.