Raymond Dietel, 88, of Lester Prairie
Raymond “Ray” Dietel, 88, of Lester Prairie, died Thursday, March 19, 2015, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 23, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. The Rev. Eric Nelson officiated. Jane Holasek was the organist, and congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Abide With Me.”
Honorary casket bearers were Rachel Dietel Hoskins, Erin Herrmann and Katelin Dietel. Casket bearers were Greg Dietel, Steven Dietel, Michael Dietel, Eric Dietel, Matt Herrmann and Robert Mierau.
Interment was in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Raymond “Ray” August Dietel was born April 3, 1926, in Bergen Township, Lester Prairie, to John and Lucy (Hoof) Dietel. He was baptized as an infant on May 2, 1926, by the Rev. H.B. Witzke, and was confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 7, 1940, by the Rev. Martin Seybold, both at Evangelical and Reformed Church in Lester Prairie. He attended country school through the eighth grade and then graduated from Lester Prairie Public School. He furthered his education by attending Dunwoody Institute for a degree in heating and plumbing. Mr. Dietel entered active military service in the U.S. Navy on Jan. 23, 1945, and served his country overseas during World War II as an Aviation Metalsmith Third Class. He was honorably discharged on July 21, 1946.
On Aug. 16, 1947, he was united in marriage to Delores Knacke by the Rev. R.A. Ritz at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. They made their home in Lester Prairie, and their marriage was blessed with three sons, Brad, Dale and Dan. They shared over 67 years of marriage.
Mr. Dietel owned and operated Dietel Plumbing and Heating for 20 years, from 1968 to 1988. He also was a farmer, school bus driver, hauled bulk gas and fuel oil for Jenneke Oil, and cut meat at Prairie Market. He was an active member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. He also was a member of the Lester Prairie American Legion Post 463 and the Lester Prairie Fire Department.
Mr. Dietel was a hardworking and devoted husband. He loved to reminisce about the gold toilet they used for cards at their 50th wedding anniversary and when his entire family celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at Rush Lake. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, playing cards and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. He cherished the time spent with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Delores Dietel of Winsted; sons, Bradley (Kathy) Dietel of Sparks, Nev., Dale (Jane) Dietel of Lester Prairie and Daniel (Patrice) Dietel, also of Lester Prairie; grandchildren, Greg (Beth) Dietel of Jordan, Rachel Dietel Hoskins of Houston, Robert (Greta) Mierau of Caledonia, Tamara Lucido of Glendale, Ariz., Steven (Melissa) Dietel of Lester Prairie, Michael (Jessica) Dietel of Victoria, Erin (Matt) Herrmann of Lester Prairie, Andrew Dietel of Mound, Eric Dietel of Somerset, Wis., and Katelin Dietel of Lester Prairie; great-grandchildren, Amanda Dietel and her fiancé, Nate, Leah (Erik) Aamlid, Jenna Dietel, Thomas Dietel, Tyler Hoskins, Brett Hoskins, Brennan Mierau, Karsen Mierau, Heather Mierau, Sawyer Mierau, Kaelyn Lucido, Logan Lucido, Rylee Lucido, Alec Dietel, Maxwell Dietel, Carson Dietel, Caiden Herrmann, Bennett Herrmann and Teagan Herrmann; sister, Leona Schultz of Glencoe; brother-in-law, Stanley Rustad of Waconia; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucy Dietel; brothers and sisters, Henry Dietel, Irene Klaustermeier, Clarence Dietel, Linda Hoernemann, Elmer Dietel and Adela Rustad; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, DeVan Knacke and Angeline Stender.
Arrangements were with the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel of Lester Prairie. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.
