Diefenthaler, Fleetwood “Bud” – 1920-1996

DIEFENTHALER, GAYHART, KISSINGER, LARSON, SMITH

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 6/13/2022 at 06:43:02

Fleetwood “Bud” Diefenthaler, 76, of Kellogg died of cancer Monday, Nov. 4, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Stephan Jasch, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Organist will be Margaret Amo.
The son of Fleetwood and Margaret Kissinger Diefenthaler, he was born Nov. 22, 1920 in Milwaukee, Wis. He was raised in Milwaukee and graduated from high school there. He attended Beloit College, Marquette University and Northwestern University. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He was married to Georgia Louise Gayhart May 30, 1952, in Milwaukee. They lived in Milwaukee until 1958, then in Glendale, Wis., until 1977. Mr. Diefenthaler worked as a regional sales manager for the Kohler Company. In 1977, the family moved to rural Kellogg where he worked for the Winpower Company of Newton. Prior to his retirement, he was sales manager for the Electrical Engineering Company in De Moines. He retired in 1987, and they lived in Mission, Texas, during the winter months and at Rock Creek lake during the summer months.
He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Kellogg Lions Club.
Surviving are his wife; three sons, Andrew and Tim, both of Austin, Texas, and Mark of Wrightsville, Pa.; one daughter, Amy Smith of Grinnell; two grandchildren; and one sister, June Larson of Safety Harbour, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Source: Grinnell (IA) Herald Register; November 7, 1996