DIEDRICH, Harry Henry 1913-2004

DIEDRICH, DUTTE, SEEGER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/15/2009 at 15:25:31

GRAFTON, IOWA - Harry Henry Diedrich, age 90, died on Sunday, January 4, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa, in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, with the Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial will be in the Grafton Cemetery in Grafton.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, 207 S. School St., St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Harry Henry Diedrich was born Feb. 8, 1913, in Mitchell County, the son of William F. and Freeda (Dutte) Diedrich. He was baptized at his parents' home and confirmed in 1929 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, where he was a member his entire life. He received his education in the Newburg District School in Mitchell county.

On Feb. 6, 1938, he was united in marriage to Velma Seeger at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Myrtle, Minn. The couple farmed in the Grafton and Carpenter areas, with Harry having a threshing route in his early farming years. He also drove a school bus for St. Ansgar Community Schools for 18 years. Following their retirement, the couple moved to their present home in Grafton in 1975.

Harry served as president of the Newburg No. 5 Township School, secretary of the Grafton Telephone Co., served on the Grafton Manor, cemetery and church boards and was active in Senior Citizens.

Harry enjoyed gatherings with family and friends, especially the yearly Diedrich reunion, sightseeing trips to western states, and fishing trips to Northern Minnesota.

As a young man he enjoyed playing the violin and oboe in the church orchestra and band. His hobbies included restoring antique furniture and woodworking.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; a brother-in-law, Herbert Seeger, of Albert Lea; a sister-in-law, Lillian and husband, Eric Buntrock, of Minneapolis.

Harry is survived by his wife, Velma, of 65 years; son, David Diedrich and wife, Darlene, of Grafton; daughter, Janice Morrison, of Albert Lea, Minn., daughter, Julie Braun and special friend, David Ward, of Mason City; one brother, John Diedrich, of St. Ansgar; and some special cousins and friends.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home in St. Ansgar is in charge of the arrangements. Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, (641) 713-4920.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, Jan. 6, 2004]