Francis A. Dietrich

June 22, 1928 ~ January 9, 2022
Francis A. Dietrich, age 93, of Elma, IA passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at Colonial Manor in Elma.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Church in Elma, IA with Father Jerry Kopacek celebrating. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista.
Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma. There will be a 3:30 PM Rosary and a Scripture Service will immediately follow the Rosary. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass on Thursday. Online condolences may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Francis Albert Dietrich was born on June 22, 1928 on the family farm by Alta Vista, IA; son of Albert and Ann (Scanlon) Dietrich. He attended St. William’s School in Alta Vista. He 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 November 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 August 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 November 21, 2014.
Francis was a member of the Holy Family Cluster Parish in Elma, IA 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, Roger (Jessica) Dietrich of Alta Vista and Lois Burke of Decorah. Four step-children: George (Julie) Freidhof of Elma, Ron (Cynthia) Freidhof of Bettendorf, Nancy Worple of Elma and Kathy Freidhof of LaCrosse. Four grandchildren: Gavin Markee of Stoughton, WI, Jake Burke of Elma, Emily Markee of Washington DC and Katlyn Burke of Elma. One great granddaughter: Amelia Flaharty. As well as many step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is survived by one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Dietrich of Waterloo, IA.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Catherine of 20 years and his wife Phyllis of 28 years, his brothers Paul (Theresa) and Leo Dietrich and his sisters Marcella (Andy) Grober and Mary (Leo) Tilkes.
Deepest sympathy to all the families!
Deepest sympathy to all the family….
Deepest sympathy to the family
Deepest Sympathy to the Family.
In living memory of Francis
Jean, Roger and Lois – I’m so sorry for the loss of Uncle Francis. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
May the memories of your loved one console you today. Our prayers to you all. Jeanne and David Roder
My prayers and sympathy to all of the family at this time of sorrow.
My sympathy Lois and to all of your family. May he Rest In Peace
Our sympathy to the Dietrich family.
Our Sympathy!! Kenny and Janice
Our Sympathy!!!
Our Sympathy.
Our sympathy. John & Marlys Marlys Ann Recker
Prayers to all the family. 🙏🙏
Rest In Peace Grandpa Dietrich❤️❤️❤️❤️You and Grandma Dietrich made me have such a great childhood filled with so many memories:))) that I will forever cherish you were such a nice kindhearted man love you and will miss you -Ceana Britton❤️❤️❤️
Sending our sympathy to the family.
So blessed to be able to care for Francis the last few years. Such a sweet sweet man! Sending you all many many prayers during this time.
So sorry for your loss!
So sorry to here this my thoughts n prayers are with the family.
So very sorry!! Condolences!
Sorry for your loss
Sorry For Your Loss
Sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.🙏
Sympathy and prayers for all the family!
Sympathy and prayers for the whole family!
Sympathy for the family
Sympathy to the family!
Sympathy to the family.
Sympathy to the family.RIP Francis🙏🙏🙏
Sympathy!
Thinking of all of the family! So sorry to see this! One hard working kind man!
Thoughts and Prayers 🙏🙏🙏
Thoughts and prayers to the Dietrich family. May you all find peace and comfort in the days ahead.
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Conway-Markham Funeral Home – Elma
Dave and I would like to send our most sincere sympathy in the loss of Francis. May God hold him and his family and friends in his arms during this most difficult time. Jean- We are so sorry for your loss. RIP Francis you will be truly missed.
My sympathy to a the family.
So sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. May he Rest in Peace.
You and mom always were there to help everyone that needed it.To be truthful I know you didn’t like driving to the Quad Cities. But you made there and back
Francis I will always remember how you made me feel like part of the family even though we were not blood relatives. You were the most caring, gentle, and kind man I have ever met in my life. Jean, Lois; Roger sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all. Kathy Freidhof
Prayers to the family.
Sorry for your loss