Ted Dale Diers

Alvin (Ted) Dale Diers, 83, of Rush City, Minnesota, passed away on December 2, 2013 at Golden Living where he had resided for almost 6 years. Ted was born on March 26, 1930 in Synnes Township, Stevens County, Minnesota to Herman and Martha (Pahl) Diers. He was baptized by Pastor Gustav A. Pilgrim on April 27, 1930 and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chokio, Minnesota on May 28, 1944. Ted graduated eighth grade and attended graduation exercises of the Rural Schools of Stevens County at Morris High School on Saturday, June 24, 1944. As a young adult, Ted often traveled and worked with his father on various building jobs. On May 9, 1952 Ted and Betty Laursen were married in LaMoure, North Dakota. They traveled across North Dakota; living in a tiny trailer without electricity or running water while Ted built grain elevators in many locations throughout the state. They moved to Anoka for a short time where Ted was employed as a cabinetmaker. In 1955 they and their two children, Vernon (Buck) and Kathy, moved to Rush City where Ted was employed as a machinist at ‘the mill’, then operated by the Farmer’s Union Grain Terminal Association. After moving to Rush City, Ted and Betty had two more children, sons Scott and Robert. Ted worked at the mill until his retirement. Ted was a skilled metalworker and carpenter. He could build or fix anything, demonstrating that education is often a mere supplement to God-given intelligence or creativity. He could solve any mathematical problems necessary to complete his projects. Hunting and fishing were Ted’s passions, and he had many great experiences with his buddies, fishing the local lakes and rivers for walleye and northern pike, salmon fishing in Michigan and trying to catch the ‘big ones’ in cold Canadian water. His hunting trips took him from Minnesota to Montana to Hudson Bay; sometimes traveling by train or in the yellow school bus they had converted to a hunting shack on wheels. An excellent marksman, he brought home moose, elk, antelope, deer, bear, geese, ducks, pheasants, even squirrels and rabbits. Ted’s children grew up thinking that all families ate fish and wild game for most of their meals. Ted relished the time spent with his parents and siblings and their families. Several times a year when the children were young, the family packed up the car and made the four-hour trip across the state to ‘go home’. Many hours were spent laughing over card games with his brothers and sisters, and Fourth of July fireworks in South Dakota were a must. In later years, Ted and Betty made many cross-country trips, usually accompanied by siblings, and would often go out of their way to visit with old friends. Ted was an active and loyal member of the Eagles organization, holding many elected positions over the years and working hard to promote the Eagles’ activities and fundraising efforts. If you had the good fortune to be Ted’s friend, you knew he was dedicated and supportive. You also had to have a good sense of humor to deal with Ted’s stubborn streak. Ted was preceded in death by his wife Betty, son Robert "Rob", grandson John Diers, brother Walter "Mike" Diers and sister-in-law Betty Diers, sister Dorothy Swihart and brother-in-law Wes. He is survived by children Vernon "Buck" (Vickie) Diers of Houston, Texas, Kathy (Dr. Mark) Olson of North Branch, Minnesota and Scott Diers of Rush City, Minnesota, grandchildren Erica Olson (Bill Kenealy), Kristin (Tony) Smith, Dane (Angie) Olson, Jessica (Steve) Barnes, Allison (Brad) Ewing, Tony (Mina) Diers, Scott Diers, Richard Diers and Jason Leske Diers; great-grandchildren Matt Olson, Mike and Ben Wahlberg, Evie and Max Smith, Kahi Diers, Canon Diers and Triston Black, sister Gertrude (Vernon) Goldsmith, brother Melford (Joan) Diers and brother Melvin (Rowena) Diers, many nieces and nephews. Ted’s family is grateful to the staff at Golden Living for the kind, compassionate care they provided; not only in his final days but throughout the years he spent with them. A special thanks to Ted’s roommate, Al Flancher, who always knew just what Ted needed. Heaven for Ted is a beamy boat, large enough to hold all of his buddies, afloat on a cold, deep Canadian Lake, blue waters sparkling in the crisp air of a sun-filled day, surrounded by a craggy shoreline of rugged rock and green pines. Go for the big one! Pastor Laurie O’Shea will officiate a memorial service for Ted; 3:00 p.m., Saturday, December 14th at First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City. A visitation will be held one-hour prior also at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Music will be provided by Carolyn Holmstrom, Jaime Holmstrom and Marilyn Schoolmeesters. Inurnment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City. Arrangements were entrusted to Funeral and Cremation Service ~ Olson Chapel of Rush City. www.funeralandcremationservice.com