Raymond Dietz

Raymond Albert Dietz was born June 21, 1922, in Wabasso, MN, the son of Herman and Lily (Kolander) Dietz. He attended school in Wabasso until his family moved to Thief River Falls, MN. In November 1942 Ray joined the US Army, where he served as a tank driver in France and central Europe. He received the Purple Heart in 1944 after he was wounded and continued serving in the Army until December of 1945. After returning to Thief River Falls, he attended business college for accounting. Ray married Diane Kreminski on July 29, 1950. The couple made their home in Hopkins and later Chanhassen, and were blessed with four children, Linda, Marilyn, Becky and Ginnie. Ray worked as a mail carrier for seventeen years, but life in the cities did not offer enough open space so he and his family moved to a farm near Carlos in 1970. He worked for Juno Plastics and later for Donnelly Manufacturing. He continued working under the Green Thumb program at Bethany Home and the I-94 rest stop. Ray finally retired at age eighty-two. Ray had been a volunteer fireman with the Chanhassen Fire Dept. and was a member of the Miltona VFW. Ray also liked woodworking, raising raspberries, playing with his little dog (Tasha), reading and going to flea markets. Ray remained active and at age 82, he shingled his home. On Friday, May 7, 2010, surrounded by his family, Raymond died at the age of eighty-seven years. He is survived by his wife, Diane of Alexandria; four children - Linda Elias of Brandon, Marilyn Dietz of Hopkins, Becky Walsh and husband, Ken, of Alexandria and Ginnie Olson and husband, Scott, of Alexandria; five grandchildren, Emily Wolf, Dustin Walsh, A.J. Walsh, Jackson Elias and Kelsey Olson, three great grandchildren; one brother Clarence Dietz of Thief River Falls; and one sister, Sylvia Anderson of Moorhead. Ray was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Harold and Lawrence Dietz; and two sisters, Elta and Bernice. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM, Friday, May 14, 2010 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Wade Meyer will officiate. Sue Nelson will provide music. Interment will follow in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 AM Friday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.