DIEKEN, Lillian 1909-1995

DIEKEN, FRANKEN, STAHL, MOLENDORP

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/23/2013 at 09:34:14

Lillian Dieken Services Held

Lillian J. Dieken, of Grundy Center, passed away Sunday, April 2, at Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center of natural causes, having attained the age of 85 years, 10 months and 25 days.

Services were held Tuesday, April 4, at 1:30 p.m. at Bethany Presbyterian Church with Pastor Nadim Saikaly officiating. Interment was at Colfax Center Presbyterian Church Cemetery, rural Holland.

Pallbearers were Marvin Groote, Fred Terfehn, John Spain, Eldon Dieken, Calvin Stahl and Mike Dieken.

Lillian was born May 8, 1909, in Colfax Township near Holland the daughter of Jacob and Minnie C. (Franken) Stahl. She lived with her parents on a farm and attended the rural schools in Colfax township where she grew up.

In August of 1932, Lillian was united in marriage to Theodore Molendorp. The couple moved to Montana near Billings where Ted accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools. After three years he became ill and they moved back to Iowa. Theodore passed away in October of 1940. Later, in October of 1946, Lillian was married to Hiriam Dieken of Dike. They lived on farms in Lincoln and Colfax Townships. After semi-retiring, Lillian and Hiriam became custodians of the Colfax Center United Presbyterian Church in rural Holland.

Lillian received her Christian education at Colfax Center Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member for over 50 years. She was busy with church work, serving as Sunday school and Catechism teacher, as Superintendent of Bible School and as church organist for 35 years. Lillian became a member of the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center and was active in the Naomi Circle. She participated in various other organizations as well, including the American Legion Auxiliary, the Hospital Auxiliary and the Grundy County American Cancer Society.

After Hiriam's death on June 20, 1972, Lillian continued as church custodian until February of 1973 when she moved into Grundy Center. She worked in the dietary department at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital for nearly 28 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands Theodore and Hiriam; and 1 son, Jay in 1986.

Survivors include 2 granddaughters, Amy Dieken of Union and Audrey Dieken of Tempe, Arizona; 1 sister, Viola Groote and husband Benjamin of Grundy Center; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home, Grundy Center, was in charge of the arrangements.

--newspaper clipping, source unknown