DIEHM, Mildred Louise (Holmes) 1923-2017

DIEHM, HOLMES, PICKARD, GREVE, KREBS

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 5/5/2017 at 21:04:41

Services:
Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Kimball Avenue United Methodist Church

Visitation:
Friday, Jan. 13 at Kearns Funeral Service Kimball Chapel, with a 6:30 PM Order of Eastern Star service; also for one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.

Cemetery:
Garden of Memories Cemetery (At a later date)

Memorials:
May be directed to the Denver Sunset Home or Kimball Avenue United Methodist Church

Biography--

Mildred “Millie” Louise Diehm, age 93, of the Denver Sunset Home in Denver, Iowa and formerly of Waterloo; died on January 8, 2017 at UnityPoint-Allen Hospital.

She was born March 12, 1923 in Graham, Texas; the daughter of Owen Bremer “Slim” and Pauline (Pickard) Holmes. Millie graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1941. She married John G. Diehm on August 23, 1944 in Waterloo; he preceded her in death on October 15, 1992.

Millie worked in the layaway and accessories department at K‑Mart for 13 years, retiring in 1988; she had previously worked in the cafeteria at Rath Packing Company. Millie was a member of Kimball Avenue United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and White Shrine.

She loved her family very, very much. She was heartbroken when the love of her life, “Johnnie”, left her far too early. And when her two oldest daughters, Sharron Krebs and Lonnie Greve, also died much too soon, she begged through tear-filled eyes, “Why, Lord, why couldn’t it have been me?”

Millie was a wonderful mother and grandmother, reading nursery rhymes, poems and stories to children and grandchildren. Her eyes and smile would light up and her arms open wide any time her great-grandchildren came near her.

She loved all sports and enjoyed watching them on TV and playing them…she was on the basketball team in high school. She also was very “crafty,” as well as an excellent seamstress, making wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses for all of her children. Not to mention all the other ceramics, leather-working, knitting, crocheting and numerous other items she made and gave as gifts over the years.

She loved to read, do puzzles and play games, card games especially. She belonged to several card clubs over the years, and was very competitive and loved to “win”.

She always stressed that it was important to be kind. She once had two “Avon Ladies” because didn’t want to hurt either of their feelings. She was very, very polite.

She is survived by a son, Curtis (Nancy) Diehm of Dubuque; a daughter, Melissa (Jack) Stabenow of Waterloo; two sons‑in‑law, Roger Greve of Gladbrook, and Martin Krebs of Goleta, CA; 11 grandchildren: Allan (Kambria) Krebs, Marsha (Trent) Bigelow, Eric (Jenn) Greve, Nicole (Josh) Uhde, Robin (Matt) Moore, Fr. Noah Diehm, Emily Diehm, Megan Diehm, Owen (DiAndra) Stabenow, John (Amanda) Stabenow, Kurtis Stabenow; and by five great‑grandchildren: Gracie Greve, Corbin Uhde, Indigo Uhde, Landon Moore, Livy Moore.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two daughters, Sharron Krebs and Lonnie Greve; and a brother, Gerald Holmes.

Source: Kearns Funeral Service website