Kurt Degerlund

Kurt Johannes Degerlund, age 84, of Duchesne, beloved husband, father and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by family the morning of June 3, 2015 after a long illness.
Born in Helsinki, Finland, to Albin Johannes and Helga Amaryllis Degerlund on June 25, 1930, he grew up in the midst of World War II. He was evacuated from Finland with other Finnish children in 1940 and transported to Sweden where he was nourished back to health before being sent to live with Swedish families for the next 7 years. During that time he worked in a brewery, apprenticed as a silversmith, lived as a cook's helper in a logging camp and worked on a family farm.
In 1947, he and his mother were reunited and immigrated to the U.S.A. Kurt was sponsored by families in Pennsylvania and began the first grade in a one-room school house at age 17. He completed 1st-12th grades in 7 years while working mornings and nights at a machine shop and on local farms. After graduation he moved to Long Island, New York, and began working as a riveter for Republic Aviation. He and his friends bought an Aeronica airplane in which he enjoyed many hours of flying. In 1954 Kurt joined the U.S. Air Force and began a 23-year career, first as an aircraft mechanic crew chief and then later as a small arms marksmanship instructor.
He met the love of his life, Gwendolyn while stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. The two were married in 1956 and remained so for over 58 years, until his passing.
Kurt was an avid hunter, fisherman and marksman. His love for hunting began at a young age in Sweden where he hunted squirrels, rabbits and moose. When he came to the U.S. he was introduced to reloading and high-powered rifles. He perfected long-range shooting skills on deer and groundhogs in the Pennsylvania hills and when he entered the U.S. Air Force he began to shoot at local rifle competitions. In 1961, he won the U.S. Air Force in Europe (USAFE) Championship while stationed in Germany and eventually joined the U.S. Air Force Rifle Team. In both team events and individual events Kurt won many awards and set national records.
In 1977, Kurt retired from the U.S. Air Force after 23 years of distinguished service to his country. He and Gwen moved to Colorado where they both worked for Storage Tek Corporation for another 20 years. After retiring again in 2001, they moved to Duchesne, Utah, where they met many more dear friends and have actively served in the First Baptist Church of Duchesne.
Kurt built a workshop on their property and he began to build, repair and accurize firearms of all sorts for local sportsmen, farmers and ranchers. He used his machinist ability and international shooting experience and knowledge to build precision rifles. Even at 84 years of age he shot the rifles he built, getting groups of less than one-inch at 300 yards. He freely shared this knowledge and experience with those humble enough to ask. He loved coaching others so that they might become more knowledgeable and skilled marksmen. During his 14 years in Duchesne he accurized over 200 rifles. He always stressed safety and respect of both nature and firearms.
Kurt loved people and exhibited a determination in everything he did. He was a mentor to many in a variety of subjects. He had a strong will to live and a passion for truth, honesty, integrity and straight shooting.
Kurt is survived by his beloved wife Gwen, Duchesne; daughter, Gigi Degerlund Willett and her husband Julian of Lakewood, Colorado; son, Nils Degerlund and his wife Joy of North Pole, Alaska; 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, a cousin in Finland and numerous friends around the world. He will be interred at Alaska Baptist Cemetery in Two Rivers, Alaska.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his honor to either the First Baptist Church of Duchesne (P.O. Box 694, Duchesne, UT 84021), the Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) or Uintah Basin Hospice (http://www.ubmc.org/).