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Loren John Diekmann was born on June 14, 1938, in Adrian, Minnesota to John and Margaret Balluff Diekmann. He grew up on the family farm near St. Kilian and graduated from Worthington High School in 1956. On December 1, 1957, Loren enlisted in the United States Navy. Following his honorable discharge on June 12, 1959, he returned to the family farm. On December 26, 1960, he and Mary Sauer were married at St. Gabriel’s Church in Fulda, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm northwest of Wilmont, MN. While farming Loren also work as a smokehouse operator at Huisken’s Meats in Chandler, MN until 1995. In 2000, Loren and Mary moved to Worthington, MN. Loren had retired from farming but continued to work at Shopko and later Runnings in Worthington. Loren was known for his knowledge of parts and the know how to fix any problem. Customers would walk in and ask for him by name. In 2009 they retired once again and moved to Wells, MN to be near family. In 2021 they moved to Oak Terrace Senior Living in North Mankato, MN. Mary passed away on August 10, 2022. Loren passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Oak Terrace at the age of 85. He was a lifelong member of St. Kilian Church in St. Kilian where he sang in the choir, served as cantor and Eucharistic minister. Following their move to Wells they joined St. Casimar Church in Wells. In his younger days Loren was a member of the St. Kilian Saints amateur baseball team. Loren enjoyed family time, golfing, bowling, hunting and sports he especially liked watching the Minnesota Wild, Twins and Vikings.
He is survived by his seven children and their spouses, Lisa and Jock Wenzel of Albert Lea, MN, Larry and Gina Diekmann of Slayton, MN, Lance Diekmann of Wells, MN, Lori and Brian Denton of West Des Moines, IA, Lynette and Michael Perry of Rochester, MN, Lyle and Anne Diekmann of Litchfield, MN, and Lenny and Julie Diekmann of Wells, MN, 15 grandchildren, eight greatgrandchildren, two siblings, Carolyn and John DiekmannHalbreder of Jenison, MI, and Vernon Diekmann of Harvest, AL, and one sister-in-law, Charlotte Anderson of Fulda, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary, infant daughter, Jonna, two siblings, Joan and Bill Sauer, and Myron Diekmann, and sister-in-law, Marianne Diekmann.
Memorial services will be held at St. Kilian Church in St. Kilian, MN on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Rick Colletti officiating. Interment is at St. Kilian Cemetery in St. Kilian, MN.
Visitation will be on hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com.
