DIEKEN, D. J. 1852-1927

DIEKEN, DIRKS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/13/2015 at 14:35:20

D. J. Dieken, Grundy Pioneer Passes Away

Had Been a Resident Of Grundy County For More Than Fifty Years

Born In Emden, Germany

Belonged to that Class of Germans who Had Much to Do With Developing the County

Dieke J. Dieken was born in the city of Emden, Germany, where he received his schooling, August 25th, 1852, and passed away at his home in Grundy Center, Iowa, at about nine o'clock on the morning of Monday, April 11th, 1927, aged 74 years, 7 months and 16 days.

His father died when he was five years of age, and in the spring of 1868 he emigrated with his mother, two brothers and two sisters to Forreston, Ill. Two years later (1870) they moved to Ackley, Iowa. In 1875 he with his mother moved onto a little farm in Lincoln township, Grundy county.

In 1877 Mr. Dieken was united in marriage to Miss Hiemke Dirks. To this union were born five children: J. D. , Mrs. H. P. Petersen, Mrs. Walter H. Bakker, Mrs. S. E. Schmitt and Dieke D., all residing in this vicinity.

The good Lord permitted Mr. and Mrs. Dieken to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on March 2nd of this year when all the children, grandchildren and near relatives were present.

Mr. and Mrs. Dieken moved from the farm to town in 1909 and they have lived a retired life here since, enjoying the fruits of years of toil on the farm, from the savings of which they had accumulated a sufficiency to keep them in comfort the balance of their lives.

Mr. Dieken was a true and loving husband, a good father and a splendid neighbor, and was highly respected by all who knew him. His illness, which he bore patiently, extended over a period of about two years, and while all that loving hands and medical skill could do for him was done, the allotted time could not be prolonged. His death will be mourned not only by the family and relatives, but by a wide circle of neighbors and friends.

Funeral services will be held from the new Presbyterian church in Grundy Center, of which he had been a faithful member for a number of years, at one o'clock this (Thursday) afternoon, Rev. H. F. Sinning, pastor of that church, officiating, assisted by Rev. J. E. Drake, of whose church Mr. Dieken was a member previous to moving to this city. Interment will be in the Drake cemetery.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 14 April 1927, pg 1