Alvena (Deines) Dietz was born January 25, 1922 on the family farm, in rural Trego County to John G. and Eva M. (Maier) Deines. She passed away Monday, April 18, 2016 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.
Alvena was a lifelong resident of Trego County, graduating from Pleasant Valley Grade School and Trego Community High School in 1940. She was baptized as a Lutheran and was a faithful servant of her church. She was united in marriage on August 17, 1941 to Solomon “Solly” Dietz, in the Lutheran Church Parsonage at WaKeeney.
Growing up in a rural farm family, Alvena was instilled with a work ethic that was carried on all of her life.
Always very proud of her German heritage, Alvena taught all of her grandchildren at least one German prayer. She was very talented as a cook, as well. No one could make butter balls, apple pie or angel food cake like Grandma Al. In her younger days, she enjoyed going to dances that were very common in the area, tagging along with her brothers Paul and Edward, who played in the band. She enjoyed polka music, playing cards, athletics and being with family especially her grandchildren.
In 1958, Alvena and Solly started managing a grain elevator in Voda. In 1966, they began managing Robinson Milling/Smoot Grain in WaKeeney and stayed there until retiring in 1984. After retirement, Alvena started playing golf and particularly enjoyed the association with the Big Creek Golf Ladies group.
She is survived by two sons, Larry (Kathy) Dietz of WaKeeney and Raydene (Nancy) Dietz of Estes Park, Colorado; five grandchildren, Alisa (Ted) Odell of Prairie Village, Nikki (Ryan) Daubert of Wamego, Kurt (Brandy) Dietz of Overland Park, LaTisha (Jarrod) Connelly of North Platte, Nebraska, and Kodi (Adam) Clark of Englewood, Colorado; nine great-grandchildren, Taylor and Katherine Odell, Averi, Madilyn and Reagan Daubert, Solly Dietz, Andrew Connelly, and Hayley and Sawyer Clark; and sisters-in-law, Clara Deines of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Margaret Dietz of Amarillo, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and siblings, Mollie Deines, Godfried Deines, Anna Deines, Minnie Deines, Marie Mai, Edward Deines, Martha Dietz, Esther Deines, Paul G. Deines, Frieda Hoffman, Helene Deines, Irene Turner, and one infant child who died in infancy.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney with Pastor Randy Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home in WaKeeney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Big Creek Golf Course or Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Condolences may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.