John Achilles Dieken

He died peacefully March 18, 2009, at the Avera Morningside Heights with his family by his side. John Achilles Dieken was born June 21, 1921, to August and Amandine (Schafer) Dieken at Marshall. He was united in marriage to Marcella McLaughlin on July 14, 1943 at St. Clotilde Church. He farmed for over forty years with his brother Abel near Green Valley. After retirement he built a house in Cottonwood and lived on the north shore of Cottonwood Lake. While farming, he also had a repair garage, “John’s Repair,” where neighbors brought their equipment to be welded and spent hours just “shooting the breeze.” In his younger years, John loved to ride motorcycle, figure skate, play the accordion, and play pool and ping pong. After retirement he loved playing golf and sitting on his deck enjoying the fresh air. He was a founding member of the Roaring Lions Motorcycle Club and a member of the Knights of Columbus. After developing parkinsons disease he moved into Boulder Estates , and 2 ½ years ago into the Avera Morningside Heights nursing home. His is survived by his four children: Son Terry (Linda) and daughters Sharyl (Pat Court) Dieken, Robin (Steve) Nefstead, and Susan (Marty) Kaye; six grandchildren – Jodi (Brad) Bofferding, Jeremy (Megan) Dieken, Nicole Nefstead, Whitney Nefstead, Sydney and Taylor Kaye; four great grandchildren – Alexandria, Izabella, Samuel, and Teal; and his brother and sister-in-law Abel and Lorena. He was preceded in death by his wife Marcella, his parents, and his sister Helen Dandurand. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to a charity of their choice.