Kathryn Marie Dieken

Kathryn Marie Dieken was born July 22, 1948, in Tracy, MN to Fred and Helen (Seltz) Goltz. She was the youngest of eight children. Kathy graduated from Tracy High School in 1966. She graduated from Minnesota School of Business in 1968 and then worked as a secretary at Honeywell in St. Paul for two years. On April 4, 1970, Kathy married Harold Francis Dieken and they made their home on a farm near Green Valley. They were blessed with two children, Chad and Emmy, and spent 39 years raising a close and loving family and welcoming four grandsons. Kathy was a homemaker where she spent countless hours working around the yard, helping out in the fields and with the family turkey operation, and greeted her children every day when they got home from school with lunch waiting for them. After their children left home, Kathy continued to involve herself in many church activities and began volunteering at the Avera Marshall Auxillary Thrift Store; fulfilling her love to be around others. Kathy developed many close and lasting friendships with so many people, and was often described as a perfect friend. Those friendships were so meaningful to her and continue to be cherished by her family. Kathy had a passion of helping and giving to others, whether it was arranged or she did it as a surprise, and when starting a conversation she would always ask how you were doing first rather than talking about herself. She truly enjoyed flowers and gardening with all her plants perfectly marked and labeled, and just being outdoors. Kathy was loved and adored by her grandsons, and she played, read to, and laughed with them every minute during visits. Kathy’s smile and laugh were contagious, and she inspired others with her positive outlook and her protocol to always see the best in everything and everyone; never did she complain or want to see anyone disappointed or let down. One of her favorite things to do was to clip out quotes from various sources and post them on the refrigerator for everyone to read; a recent one she had posted read, “Those who fail to appreciate the small blessings in life don’t deserve anything more;” a value she certainly passed along to her children. To many of us Kathy was much too young to be called by the Lord, but we know that God always has a reason for His plan and we must follow it. Kathy’s family and friends are so thankful for the time given to them, and the memories with her will be carried on in their hearts forever. Kathy died Saturday, October 10, 2009, at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center. she endured a short 13-week battle with cancer and other complications related to Sjogren’s Syndrome, but she was courageous, a true fighter, and always in good spirits throughout. She is survived by her loving husband, Harold of Marshall; two children, Chad (and Kim) Dieken of Victoria, and Emmy (and Jay) Buboltz of Mankato; the light of her life, her four grandsons, Spencer (7) and William (4) Dieken, and Andrew (3) and Mitchell (1) Buboltz; and many special nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Kathy is preceded in death by her parents. Blessed be the memory of Kathy Dieken, a beautiful woman. Memorials preferred to Holy Redeemer School Foundation.