Alvin Diederichs

Alvin W. Diederichs, age 96 of Perham and Dent, Minnesota, died Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Perham Living.

Alvin Walter Diederichs was born in Perham Minnesota on February 28, 1927 to Frieda and Henry Diederichs. He grew up on the family farm outside of Dent, Minnesota with his older brother Leonard and younger sister Ruth.

After Al's high school graduation from Perham High School, he was drafted into the Army in 1945 during WWII. He eventually was sent on a troop transport ship to serve in the war in Japan. However, while he was on the ship, Japan surrendered. His ship continued to Japan and he served in the occupation of Japan in Tokyo. While in Japan, he hiked Mount Fuji and sent pictures home of the Tokyo Bay area. He also joked about working "above MacArthur" as he worked in the mailroom on the floor above General MacArthur.

After the war, he traveled with a friend to Montana to work on the Prairie Nest Ranch outside of Great Falls, Montana. He then moved to International Falls, Minnesota and worked at the paper factory. He met Carol Eide while in northern Minnesota and they married on March 20,1950. He received a call asking him to return to work at the Prairie Nest ranch in Montana. He worked as the foreman of the ranch for 40 years. Al had three children: daughters, Debra born in 1953, Cindy born in 1961, and son, Lyle born in 1962.

Al enjoyed fishing and hunting around the lakes at the ranch. He also enjoyed bowling and was on numerous leagues in Great Falls and Belt, Montana. Al could fix most any piece of farm machinery and also knew everything about managing a large wheat ranch. Al was known for his physical strength while working in the shop on the ranch and could lift 55 gallon oil drums by himself to the amazement of others. Through most of his employment he worked six days per week but he and Carol enjoyed spending time with friends on his day off and having a "refreshing cold beverage" with them.

In 1990, Al retired from the ranch and he and Carol moved back to live on the family farm he grew up on in Dent, Minnesota. They spent many years renovating the old farmhouse and fixing up the very large yard and property. Al and Carol enjoyed spending time with numerous friends and relatives in the Dent area. He was particularly fond of meeting with the guys at the local bar in Dent, Minnesota.

In Al's later years, he and Carol spent winters in Orlando, Florida with their children, Debbie and Lyle. In 2019, Al moved to Perham Living. He was joined at Perham Living by Carol in 2022.

Al was preceded in death one month ago by his wife Carol, whom he was married for 73 years. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth; and brother Leonard. Al is survived by his children, Debra Diederichs, Lyle Diederichs, and Cindy (Juan) Garza; granddaughters, Kelsey and Mariah; and great grandson, Raylan.

The family would like to thank the staff at Perham Living for their kind care of Al for the past four years.

Joint memorial services for Al and Carol will be this summer where we will have a "refreshing cold beverage" in their honor.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com