Mac B Diehl

Mac B. Diehl was born the second of three children to Donald Diehl and Lonnie (Lewis) Diehl Buckley in Red Cloud, Nebraska on July 6, 1952 .  He passed away at the age of 66 on October 1, 2018 at Otego, Kansas. Mac was a lifelong resident of Northbranch and Burr Oak, Kansas communities.  He received his grade school education at the rural school in Northbranch.  He graduated from Burr Oak High School in the class of 1971.  After high school, Mac attended the North Central Kansas Technical College, Beloit, Kansas.

In March, 1977 he married Tracie Volker of Burr Oak, KS.  To this union, four girls were born.  In 2008 Mac married Cindy Maruniak and  resided in Burr Oak.  During his  lifetime, Mac farmed with his father and managed a fertilizer plant in Northbranch.  Last, Mac and Cindy owned and operated a welding and repair shop in Burr Oak.  He was a member of the Burr Oak Volunteer Fire Department and belonged to the Northbranch Friends Church.

Mac's friends and family often described him as having the ability to "fix anything."  Vehicles and machinery with mechanical issues brought challenges and motivation.  Any job that required welding,  a pair of pliers, a motor or fabricating from scratch were for him.  Mac kept very old equipment alive year after year.  He often complained that he was born after his time. He was a wonderful storyteller and enjoyed lengthy conversations about almost anything with anyone who took time to listen.

Mac was most proud of obtaining his pilot license.  The hours spent flying, while enjoying the company of family and friends were some of his favorite memories.   In addition, Mac rode his Harley motorcycles to Sturgis for years, and enjoyed road trips or just puttering around Jewell County with Cindy.  Being called "MacPa" was an honor and Mac's border collie Miss Kitty was much treasured.

While many wonderful memories were made, Mac battled depression since young adulthood.  His struggle led to addiction as he attempted to self treat bouts of despair.  While victories were won, ultimately hopelessness affected his life to where overcoming it was not to be.

Preceding Mac in death was his father Don Diehl.  Survivors include: mother Lonnie Buckley, Mankato, Kansas; wife Cindy of Burr Oak, Kansas; children Amanda Diehl, Lincoln, Nebraska, Emily Diehl, Gardner, Kansas, Eden Diehl, Lincoln Nebraska, and Ivy Diehl, Lincoln, Nebraska; sisters Regi (David) Wieland, Oakley, Kansas, and Angie (Ray) Holzmeister, Oakley, Kansas; Grandchildren Emmett Russell and  Eli James Kowalewski; Tatum and Ethan Weiser; and his beloved dog, Dudley.