Francis Dietrich, 93

June 22, 1928 —

Jan. 9, 2022

 

ELMA - Francis A. Dietrich, age 93, of Elma, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at Colonial Manor in Elma.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan.13, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Church in Elma, with Father Jerry Kopacek celebrating. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista, Iowa.

Francis Albert Dietrich was born on June 22, 1928 on the family farm by Alta Vista, the son of Albert and Ann (Scanlon) Dietrich. He attended St. William’s School in Alta Vista. 

Francis served in the United States Army from 1950-1952 as a tank commander staff sergeant for the 67th Medium Tank Battalion 2nd Armor Division Company C and was stationed in Gonsenheim, Germany. 

On Nov. 22, 1962, he was united in marriage to Catherine Elizabeth O’Donnell at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. To this union three children were born. Together they farmed until Catherine passed away on July 27, 1983. 

On Aug. 29, 1986, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Burke Freidhof at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. They retired and moved to Elma in 1990. Together they enjoyed volunteering at the meal site, taking numerous bus trips offered by the local bank and spending time with family, especially the grandchildren. Francis continued to be active on the farm and enjoyed hauling corn in the fall. Phyllis passed away on Nov. 21, 2014.

Francis was a member of the Holy Family Cluster Parish in Elma and a member of Alta Vista VFW Post 4069. He loved farming and caring for the livestock. He enjoyed gardening, playing euchre, watching Chicago Cubs baseball and reading about history. 

In 2017, he moved to Colonial Manor. He always looked forward to hearing any news about the farm — how many new calves were born, how the crops were doing and how much rain fell.

Francis is survived by his children, Jean (Bill) Irvin of Decorah, Iowa, Roger (Jessica) Dietrich of Alta Vista and Lois Burke of Decorah; four step-children, George (Julie) Freidhof of Elma, Ron (Cynthia) Freidhof of Bettendorf, Iowa, Nancy Worple of Elma and Kathy Freidhof of LaCrosse, Wis.; four grandchildren, Gavin Markee of Stoughton, Wis., Jake Burke of Elma, Emily Markee of Washington, D.C. and Katlyn Burke of Elma; one great-granddaughter, Amelia Flaharty; one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Dietrich of Waterloo, Iowa; and many step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 20 years, Catherine; his wife of 28 years, Phyllis; his brothers, Paul (Theresa) and Leo Dietrich; and his sisters, Marcella (Andy) Grober and Mary (Leo) Tilkes.