John Dieken

John Dieken, age 97 of Little Rock, IA died Tuesday, June 08, 2010 at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, June 11th at the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, IA, with Rev. Scott Burdsall officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock. Visitation will be Thursday, June 10th from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of services. John A. Dieken was born September 24, 1912 in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, the son of Ben and Ida (Vogt) Dieken. He attended country school and the Little Rock School. John married Mattie Christians on February 8, 1934 at Little Rock, IA. They farmed and lived near Ellsworth, Little Rock and Rock Rapids. He also drove truck hulling livestock and grain. In 1970 John retired from farming but remained living on the farm until 1982, when they moved to their home in Little Rock. John kept busy with painting and maintenance on the farm and also at the house in town. John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, where he served as Elder and Deacon in the past years. On November 18, 2007 Johns wife, Mattie died after 73 years of marriage. In March of 2008 John entered the Country View Manor in Sibley, IA and in May of 2008 became a resident at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center. He remained there until this past Tuesday, June 8th where he died at the age of 97 years, eight months and fifteen days. He is survived by three children, Marlyn (wife, Connie) Dieken of Waverly, IA, Don (wife, Marie) Dieken of Little Rock, IA and Diann (husband, Gerald) Meendering of Storm Lake, IA; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Martha Christians of Ellsworth, MN; and many other extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Dieken; parents, Ben and Ida Dieken; one brother, Eldon Dieken; and a granddaughter, Debra Dieken.