Frank Dieren, 91, Rock Rapids, formerly of Steen, died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids.
Services were Saturday, March 8, at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. The Rev. George Clausen officiated. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery, Rock Rapids.
Frank Xavier Dieren was born to Theophiel and Marie (Oosterlynck) Van Dierendonck on Aug. 11, 1911, at Heyst Aan Zee, Belgium. At the age of seven, he came to the United States. He and his family arrived in New York on July 4, 1920, and had to wait until July 5 to pass through Ellis Island to enter the U.S. As a young boy, he came to northwest Iowa where he was raised and educated.
He married Alma Winter on Aug. 23, 1936, at Sioux Falls, S.D. Following their marriage, they farmed at Lester, Iowa, and Larchwood, Iowa, before retiring to a farm near Steen. Mrs. Dieren died on March 16, 1991. He moved to Rosewood Heights at Rock Rapids in the fall of 1991. He moved to Premier Estates Assisted Living at Rock Rapids in 2001. He moved to Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids on March 19, 2002.
Mr. Dieren was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church where he served as a trustee for many years. He and his wife enjoyed traveling to many parts of the country. One of his true passions was music, especially playing the harmonica. He had more than 70 harmonicas and gave many of them away over the years. He also liked playing the piano and accordion.
Survivors include four sons, Laurence (Darlene) Dieren, Millersville, Md., Dean Dieren International Falls, Gary (Kathleen) Dieren, Rock Rapids, and David (Kay) Dieren, Brandon, S.D., two daughters, Sheri (Gary) Radtke, Littleton, Colo., and Lana (Ernie) Pink, Apache Junction, Ariz.; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Catherine Van Dierendonck, Sioux Falls.
Mr. Dieren was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Alma Dieren, two brothers, Paul Dieren and Louis Van Dierendonck, and two sisters, Emily Van Dierendonck and Elsie Van DeVoorde.
Roste Funeral Home, Rock Rapids, was in charge of arrangements.
