Obituaries
Harold Dieken
Harold Richard Dieken was born April 14, 1924, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Weert and Sena (Schmidt) Dieken.
He was raised in Beatrice, Neb., where he graduated from high school. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. During WWII, he served as an airplane mechanic.
After the war, Harold attended Wayne State University where he earned his teaching degree, specializing in chemistry, physics and biology.
In 1949, he was united in marriage to Beulah Vahlkamp. To this union seven children were born: Gail, Lois, Mary, Carol, Paul, Robert and John. He taught in Vermillion, S.D., and then in the Okoboji area before moving to Knoxville in 1957.
Harold retired from the Knoxville School District in 1989. He continued to substitute teach for several years and maintained the school’s A.V. equipment until 1999.
On Oct. 23, 1999, Harold was united in marriage to Joan Wallace Isley. He also worked for 15 years for the Knoxville Raceway as the fuel tester. In his early days in Knoxville, Harold helped build the Red Rock and Saylorville Dams and was a security guard for 3M during the summer months.
In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, canning and woodworking. His great joy in life however was teaching and imparting a knowledge and understanding of science to his students.
Harold passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at the Westridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at the age of 85 years, 9 months and 12 days.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons: Robert and John and his brother, Henry.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife Joan; daughters: Gail (Don) Murphy of Knoxville; Lois (Jerry) Orchard of Salina, Kansas; Mary (Harold) Hauenstein of Bussey and Carol (Marty) Hoffman of Twin Falls, Idaho; his son, Paul Dieken of Florida; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; step-children, Donna Williamson of Indianola and William Isley of Knoxville; six step-grandchildren and a step great-granddaughter and many other family members and friends.
Harold’s body was donated to Des Moines University in accordance with his wishes and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made in Harold’s memory to Knoxville Dollars for Scholars or Hospice of Central Iowa.
Bybee & Davis Funeral Home of Knoxville has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at bertrandfuneralhomes.com.
