Jo Alan DeGeer born July 10, 1943 passed away on December 19, 2024 at his home in Frederic, Wisconsin in the loving care of his wife and step daughter. Jo’s heroic journey with prostate cancer included many wonderful caregivers throughout the years. He was born in Indiana, spent his early years in the hills of Kentucky, but moved back to St. Paul (his family’s hometown) for most of his life. He attended Wilson High and later the University of Minnesota.

Jo's life was a testament to loving patience, kindness, and warmth for fellow man. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Peterson DeGeer. They shared a mutual love of nature and the natural sciences; stargazing, watching cook shows on PBS, reading, playing cards with their eldest grandson and enjoying their home along Knapp Creek.

His life was further enriched by his stepdaughters: Christi Morgan, Suzanne, and Jeanne Stroud. They provided him great joy. His nine grandchildren—David Stroud, Bava Daly, Jasper Stroud, Collette DeMaris, Matthew DeMaris, Daemon Glass, and Caitlyn Glass, Erin Borbet, and Kelsey Holthus,—and nine great-grandchildren— Cooper Daly, Maya Daly, Coraline Borbet, Vega Borbet, Esser Borbet; Jackson Holthus, Dean Holthus, Madison Holthus, and Chloe Seering—filled his days with a sense of whimsy and his heart with pride.

Though he was preceded in death by his parents Douglas and Lorna DeGeer and brother Dick DeGeer, as well as his first wife Franny Stroud DeGeer and stepsons Steve and William Stroud, their memories remained a source of strength and comfort throughout his life.

Jo attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied history. But his natural intellect and curiosity led him to independently pursue and study the new and burgeoning field of computer science. His career, consequentially was as a computer programmer. He was employed by Control Data and the State of Minnesota, Department of Trade and Economic Development.

Jo’s passion for nature included fond memories of hunting trips with his father and brother in Wyoming, where he could walk about the mountains by starlight. He had many wonderful stories about those trips. Along with his close friend, he enjoyed challenging and peaceful adventures canoeing in the Boundary Waters.

He loved music which provided him with peace and solace during the difficult times after the loss of his wife Franny.

He also loved books and was a voracious reader. He was a library aide at the JJ Hill Library in St. Paul during college and supported the many fine people at Frederic Public Library following his retirement. In later years he enjoyed mysteries, especially writers from the classic tales of Agatha Christie to PBS Mystery writers such as Annie Proulx. Ann Cleeves, as well as the more hilarious works of Janet Evanovich.

Jo's life inspires us to embrace the world with open arms, to find wonder in nature and the stars, and to cherish the bonds of family and friendship.

His was a kind spirit that will be missed and treasured by family, friends, and many others.

Jo would often say, “I’d be just about perfect if I weren’t so darn humble.” Along those lines, he requested that no funeral services be held. To honor that request family will have a private memorial and celebration of life at a later date.

Last Update: Dec 31, 2024 1:03 pm CST