RALPH W. DIECKHOFF
1953-2023
Ralph Wayne Dieckhoff, one of seven children of Fritz and Esther (Meyer) Dieckhoff, was born September 8, 1953, at Auburn, Nebraska. Growing up on the family farm near Elk Creek, Nebraska, Ralph was baptized, confirmed, and a lifelong member at Martin Luther Lutheran Church south of Johnson, Nebraska. He attended Hawthorne School District #30 and graduated from Elk Creek High School in 1971.
On September 29, 1973, Ralph was united in marriage to Donna Stutheit at Zion Lutheran Church north of Johnson. They would be blessed with two children, Matthew and Erin.
After high school Ralph continued farming the ground he had grown up on. He then started a career in crop insurance as an adjuster and worked his way up. Ralph loved this work, and continued for over 40 years, much of that time with the Auburn Agency.
While time spent at work was enjoyable, Ralph did have other interests. He loved computers, played golf, and participated in the Elk Creek Alumni plays. Mostly though, he loved time with his grandkids, and he would always light up when they entered the room or he heard their voices.
In recent years, Ralph’s health began to decline, and he became a resident of Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams, Nebraska in August of 2020. It was there he passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the age of 69 years, 5 months, and 13 days. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Arnold (Sharon) and La-Vern, sister Carolyn (Dallas) Brehm, and brother-in-law Don Hahn.
Ralph is remembered with love by his wife Donna of Tecumseh; son and daughter- in-law Matt and Mandy of Denton; daughter and son-inlaw Erin and Aaron Sager of Hermosa, SD; grandchildren Larson, Hunter, Fynlee, and Cooper Sager; sisters and brothers-in-law Eleanor and Larry Hart of Burchard, Linda and Roger Vogel of Grand Island, Sharon and Jim Gnade of Auburn; sisters-in-law Carol Dieckhoff of Commerce, OK, Cheryl Hahn of Lincoln; brother- and sister-in-law Terry and Lee Stutheit of Lincoln; other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was Friday, February 24, 2023, at Martin Luther Lutheran Church south of Johnson, officiated by Rev. Ken Tubbesing. Susie Hogrefe was organist and accompanist for congregational hymns. Casket bearers were Jim Teten, Mike McPherrin, Ron Meyer, Leroy Meyer, Willi Meyer, and Glen Meyer. Larson Sager, Hunter Sager, Fynlee Sager, and Cooper Sager were honorary bearers. Burial was in Martin Luther Lutheran Cemetery.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.