DIEKHOFF, George 1851-1939

DIEKHOFF, GROENEVELD

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/7/2017 at 07:38:15

George Diekhoff Dead; Came To Grundy In 1879

Resided On Farm In Beaver Township Much Of His Active Lifetime; End Comes At Parkersburg

George Diekhoff, widely known throughout Grundy county and at Parkersburg, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. U. Tholen, at Parkersburg last Thursday. Advanced age and coronary occlusion were the cause of his death. He was confined to his bed two weeks before the end came. Had he lived until the 16th of next month, he would have been 88 years old.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Pleasant Valley Christian Reformed church. Assisting in the services were the local pastor, Rev. A. Linnemann, who delivered a sermon in the English language, and the former pastor of the church, Rev. Siemsen, gave a sermon in the German language. Burial was in the family lot adjoining the church.

Was Native of Germany
Mr. Diekhoff was born at West Phauderfehn, Germany, April 16th, 1851. At the age of 17, he with his father came to America to make a home on a farm near Adeline, Ill. The following year the wife and mother and the remainder of the family left their native land for the new family home in this country.

About ten years later Mr. Diekhoff made a visit to Grundy county. He like it here and decided to make it his home. He invested in Grundy county land and prospered. The largest share of his active lifetime he resided on his farm at Fern. In 1913 he was married to Mrs. Menno Groeneveld, who died in June 1921. Seven years ago he left his farm at Fern to spend his remaining years at the home of his sister in Parkersburg. Mr. Diekhoff made many friends during the years that he resided in Grundy county and he held the confidence and the good will of these friends during the years that they were neighbors. Two of his brothers preceded him in death. They were Oltman from Stout and Rev. W. Diekhoff of Oregon, Ill. Surviving are one brother, Dick Diekhoff, of Rochester, Minn., and one sister, Mrs. Tholen, Parkersburg.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral services were Dick Diekhoff and sons, William and Vernon, of Rochester, Minn.; Mrs. Elizabeth Diekhoff, and John Reeverts of Oregon, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Janvrin, Pecatonica, Ill.; John Tholen, Mt. Morris, Ill.; Mrs. John Becker, Winnebago, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Ted Tapper, Waterloo.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 23 March 1939, pg 1