Raymond S. Diekman

Raymond S. Diekman, 93, of Cedar Falls passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home of Waterloo.  He was born January 26, 1926, son of Harm and Effie (Nederhoff) Diekman.  Ray was raised and attended schools in Parkersburg where he fell in "love at first sight" with Evelyn Ann Cordes.  The couple married on April 8, 1945, at Bethel Lutheran Church of Parkersburg.  Ray and Evelyn made their home in Cedar Falls where he built homes, then worked for Viking Pump first as a Machinist then in Research and Development.  He retired from Viking in 1988 and returned full time to his true calling as a farmer.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Terry Zevenbergen.  He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Evelyn; 2 children, Dolores (Arlin) Zevenbergen of Waterloo and Larry Diekman of Washurn; 6 grandchildren:  Matt (Angie) Baish; Tony (Liz) Baish; Melissa McNamara; Jeremie Diekman Jody (Terry) Zevenbergen; Kelly (Karen) Zevenbergen; 16 great-grandchildren:  Aaron, Christopher, Kaylee, Anna, Lauren, Mallory, Jacob, Ashlynn, Jonah, Nicole, Zachary, Samantha, Mackenzie, Jill, Rachel and Kacey; 10 great-great grandchildren; siblings:  Clarence (Erma) Diekman of Parkersburg, Marianne (Dennis) Kieweit of Grundy Center; and Harvey (Terry) Diekman of Seattle, WA.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2019, at 10:30 am at St. John Lutheran Church of Cedar Falls with an hour of visitation prior to the service.  Burial will be at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens of Cedar Falls.  Memorials may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church of Cedar Falls or Samaritan's Purse at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online .  Condolences may be left at www.dahlfuneralhome.com .

Ray and Evelyn enjoyed a variety of music including country-western, polkas, waltzes and gospel along with dancing.  Ray was a very intelligent and clever man who enjoyed visiting with anyone he met.  He was incredibly skilled and enjoyed buying salvage vehicles to restore and woodworking along with helping his friends and family with various home projects.  Ray loved animals, especially cats and dogs and working with his beloved Angus and Normandy cattle.  Most of all, Ray loved Evelyn and his family.