Donald L. Diehl

Donald L. Diehl was born in Guide Rock, Nebraska, on December 9, 1927 and passed away at the age of 84 at Hilltop Lodge, Beloit, Kansas, on Sunday, August 5, 2012. He was the only child born to Dallas "Pete" and Hazel (Winslow) Diehl of rural Guide Rock, Nebraska. He graduated from Burr Oak, Kansas High School with the class of 1945. In 1946 he married Lonnie L. Lewis.
They made their home in rural North Branch, Kansas, where he was a farmer/rancher. Three children were born to this union: Regi, Mac and Angie. Don was a member of the Burr Oak school board and Jewell County Soil Conservation Board.
In 1989 he married Susan L. Abel. They made their home in Burr Oak, Kansas, for seventeen years and in Mankato, Kansas, for seven years. During that time, Don retired from farming and worked at the Mankato sale barn as a pen rider. He thoroughly enjoyed working with horses and in his later years, developed a deep respect and love for mules, particularly his mule “Sis” that he raised from a colt and was his sale barn “companion.” He spent many hours during his lifetime helping children and grandchildren with riding activities. Don had a large circle of friends who helped him solve many “world problems” at his favorite coffee groups in Guide Rock, Burr Oak, and Mankato. He loved to dance and especially enjoyed time as a member of the “Friday Nighter’s,” a couples group from the Guide Rock and Red Cloud, Nebraska area.
Preceding him in death were his parents, father, Dallas "Pete" Diehl, in 1962 and mother, Hazel Diehl ,in 1984.

Survivors include: daughter Regi Wieland and husband David, Oakley, Kansas; son, Mac Diehl and wife Cindy, Burr Oak, Kansas; daughter Angie Holzmeister and husband Ray, Oakley, Kansas; Susan Abel, Mankato, Kansas and daughters Elizabeth Jeffery and husband Marty, Northbranch, Kansas, and Amy Bliss and fiancé Leo Nunnink, Shawnee, Kansas; Grandchildren, Justin Wieland, San Diego, California; Benjamin Wieland, Oakley, Kansas; Amanda Diehl, Grapevine, Texas, Emily Diehl, Lincoln, Nebraska;, Ivy, and Eden Diehl, Hickman, Nebraska; Brandon Beougher and wife Jennifer, Dexter Bouray, Bailey Bouray and fiancé CJ Thompson, and Mattie Holzmeister, all of Oakley, Kansas; JT Jeffery and wife Jessica, Emporia, Kansas; Sarah Jeffery, Manhattan, Kansas., and Abby Bliss, Shawnee, Kansas; Great grandchildren, Gabriel Wieland, Savannah Beougher and Shanlee Beougher, all of Oakley, Kansas.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Mankato, Kansas Community Center, with Pastor Sheryl Johnson officiating. Mr. Kenny Rhea will be the vocalist. Inurnment will follow in the Northbranch cemetery.

Visitation will be at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, 402 N. High Street, Mankato, Kansas, on Thursday, August 16, and Friday, August 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and family will recieve friends at the chapel, Friday, August 17 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Memorials may be designated to the family and left at or sent in care of Melby Mortuary, P O Box 384, Mankato, Kansas 66956-0384. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements.