Anna Catharine Dieck
Anna Catharine Dieck, 88, passed away Wednesday (Oct. 21,
2009) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. She was born on Jan. 5, 1921, in
Whitewater, the daughter of Jacob and Helene Harder Dieck. Her early education
was at Pleasant Hill Grade School, northeast of Whitewater. She graduated from
Whitewater High School in 1939. She was baptized at Emmaus Mennonite Church at
an early age and became a lifelong member of the church. She also was an
associate member of the Bethel Mennonite Church
in Colorado Springs, Colo.
After high school, Ann attended Bethel College for a short
time and then started her 40-year teaching career. Her first teaching positions
were at one-room schools around the Whitewater area. After teaching for a
number of years, she attended summer school at Bethel College. She also
attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Neb., and received her degree in 1950.
Anna also taught in Newton and Garden City. In 1957, she received a degree in
education from Bethel College.
She moved to Colorado Springs in 1963 to live with her
sister, Marguerite. She taught second-grade students. During this time, she
received her master of arts degree from Colorado State College in Greely,
Colo., in 1969.
Ann enjoyed reading, gardening and traveling. She visited
Canada, Mexico and Hawaii, took a cruise to Alaska, and traveled to many
countries in Europe, learning about church history in Holland. She was
privileged to see the Passion Play in Oberammergua, Germany.
In 2002, Ann's life changed dramatically. She fell and broke
her hip. Two weeks later, her sister Marguerite died suddenly and Ann realized
she couldn't care for herself. It was decided she should be admitted to a
nursing home in Kansas. This meant selling the house she enjoyed. She was
admitted to Schowalter Villa in Hesston in 2002, where she resided for seven
years. There, she appreciated all the kindness shown her and the visits from
pastors, friends and relatives. She enjoyed working with the chaplain and
helping with chapel services.
She leaves to mourn her two sisters, Helen Fryhover of Inman
and Elsie Hiebert and Ray of Galva; nieces and nephews; great-nieces and
great-nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Abe and
Carl Dieck; and a sister, Marguerite Dieck.
She will be missed by her family and friends.
Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Broadway
Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, where the family will receive friends from 5
to 7 p.m.
Graveside and interment services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at
Emmaus Mennonite Church Cemetery in rural Whitewater.
Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Grace Hill
Mennonite Church in rural Newton.
A memorial has been established with Schowalter Villa.
Contributions may be left at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway,
Newton, KS 67114.
Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
