February 23, 2016

Donald Diederich Sr.

Donald C. Diederich Sr., 92, of Watford City, previously of Minot, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, in a Minot hospital.
Donald was born on April 18, 1923, the son of John and Agnes (Kosek) Diederich, in Wahpeton, N.D.
He was raised and educated in Wahpeton, graduating from Wahpeton High School in 1942.
Donald enlisted into the United States Army in April of 1943. He proudly served his country during World War II and spent his service time in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines. He also went to Leyte Island when General MacArthur returned to the Philippines. Donald was awarded three Bronze Stars and he was honorably discharged in 1946.
Following his discharge, Donald returned to Wahpeton and worked for Northwestern Sheet and Iron. He then worked for N.W. Equipment Inc. of Fargo, and later for N.W. Equipment of Minot, where he worked as a parts manager and salesman. In 1975, Donald was awarded IHC (International Harvester Company) Salesman of the Year, where he received a $5,000 ring and a ten day trip to Hawaii.
While living in Minot, Donald was active in many sports. He served as President of the Minot Gun Club, where he won many city and state shooting events and was also named “Rookie of the Year.” He was the President of the Minot Bowling Association, winning many city and state titles, including state doubles in 1957 and all events in 1975. Donald represented North Dakota in the All Stars event held in Oklahoma, and represented North Dakota in a 12 state northwestern tournament, placing fifth. He also was President of the Minot Softball Association, where he played both fast and slow pitch ball for many years.
Donald served as President of Pheasants Unlimited of Minot, where he spent a lot of time assisting with boosting the pheasant population in the Minot area. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent a lot of time in Canada and on Lake Sakakawea. Donald also had a cabin in Van Hook where the whole family enjoyed spending their summers at the lake.
In 1947, Donald was united in marriage to Lorraine Bodson. To this union five daughters and a son were born. Lorraine passed away in 2003 from Parkinson’s Disease. Donald later moved and was church married to Verena Liebel in Watford City, N.D. in 1999. Together they enjoyed spending their time in Watford City and at Deep Water Bay south of Parshall. In 2009, Donald lost his left leg due to an infection and was disabled from that time on.  
Donald is survived by his wife, Verena Liebel, Watford City, N.D.; son, Donald “Butch” (Lilah) Diederich Jr., Minot, N.D.; daughters, Marcia (Steven) Hovde, Sun Lakes, Ariz., Kathleen (Douglas) Benjamin, Minot, N.D., Mary “Banjo” (Delane) Brandt, Jamestown, N.D.,  Barb (Ed) Patterson, Stanley, N.D., and Kristi (Matt) Howard, Minot, N.D.; step-children, Lonnie (Monica) Liebel, Bill (Cari) Liebel, and Alvin (Eileen) Liebel; brother, Harold “Heb” Diederich, Wahpeton, N.D.; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Minot.
Interment was at the Rosehill Memorial Park in Minot.
Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER