She was the daughter of Herman Schilmoeller and Elizabeth Meis Schilmoeller.
On May 25, 1920 as Elizabeth Schilmoeller, she married Henry L. Degen at Granville, Iowa.
They were the parents of eight children.

Elisabeth J. Degen was born at New Vienna, Iowa on April 29, 1900, the daughter of Herman and Elisabeth Meis Schilmoeller. She attended school in Granville. On May 25, 1920, she married Henry Lorenz Degen of Granville. During their marriage they farmed in Granville, Geddes, South Dakota and Eagle Grove where Henry died on March 5, 1934. She moved to a farm north of Granville to raise her family. Later she moved to Sioux City where she lived for several years and then to Algona where family members lived. She was a member of St. Cecelia's Church and Guild, the Catholic Daughters of American and the Legion of Mary. She died on January 14, 1980 at the age of 79 years. She is survived by eight children: Marion, Mrs. L.G. Fushen of Whittemore; Leonard Degen of Holstein, Iowa; daughter of Sioux City; Robert Degen of Granville; William Degen of Algona; Donald Degen of Bancroft; Esther, Mrs. Vince Lombardo of Buena Park, California and Father Jerome Degen of Whittemore; 43 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in St. Cecelia's Catholic Church in Algona, Iowa. Her son, Father Jerome Degen, pastor of St. Michael's Parish, Whittemore, celebrated the Mass. Concelebrants were Msgr. W.B. Bauer, pastor of St. Cecelia's, Algona, Father Louis Kollasch, pastor of Cathedral of Epiphany Parish, Sioux City and a nephew, Father Roger Augustine, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Carroll. Homilist was Father Louis Kollasch. The Most Rev. Frank H. Greteman, Bishop of Sioux City pronounced the final absolution. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery at Eagle Grove, Iowa beside her husband. Casket bearers were six grandsons.
Source: Alton Democrat, Alton, Iowa, January 24, 1980.