Joyce Eula Newman Dietrich

"Joyce Eula Newman Dietrich was born on April 21, 1932 in Walker, LA. She peacefully went to Heaven on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. She was 84 years old. Joyce moved to Baton Rouge in 1948. She attended training at National Cash Register where she met the love of her life, Donald Damian Dietrich, office manager. They were married at St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church on December 18, 1948. They celebrated 58 years of marriage before Donald passed in 2007. They raised eight beautiful children. Joyce was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She loved for everyone to be happy-she was a fun loving lady. Her home was full of laughter. There was always plenty of good tasting food. She loved a beautiful garden. She and Donald's homes were named numerous times "Garden of the Month". She loved talking about plants, recipes and dresses. She especially enjoyed entertaining at home for family and friends. Joyce had an infectious laugh. She retired after 20 years driving a school bus for East Baton Rouge Parish, under Tom Ed McHugh, director of Transportation. She was an usher for many years at the LSU Tigers football games. Joyce served on the Ladies Altar Society. She belonged to the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Society, Nursing Home Visiting Angels, and provided assistance for many church and school bingo fund raisers. Joyce is survived by five sons and three daughters: Don, Jr. and wife Becky of Rockford, IL; Kathy and husband Ernie Feierabend of Slaughter; David Dietrich of New Orleans; Joseph "Cosmas" Dietrich of Prairieville; Melissa Kleinpeter of Baton Rouge; Greg and wife Connie of Metairie; Randy and wife Angie of Prairieville; and Janine and husband Brian Jones of Baton Rouge. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Richard and Shawn Dietrich, Kayte and Devin Kleinpeter, Kathleen and Elizabeth Dietrich, Garret and Ross Jones, and Seth, Randi and Landen Dietrich; as well as two great-grandchildren: Tessa and Alexa Dietrich. Survivors also include her sister, Reba Gillen Pulliam; and her godson, Julius T. Bersuder, Jr. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Damian Dietrich, Sr.; her parents, Adolphus E. Newman and Mattie Bernice Hood Newman Miller; her sister, Eunice Nora Bersuder Colburn and her husband Julius T. Bersuder, Sr.; and her Catholic Sponsors, Stewart and Jeanette Dietrich. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 2, 2017, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 12424 Brogdon Lane, from 9am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11am, celebrated by Rev. Matthew Dupre'. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Pallbearers will be Don, Jr., David, Cosmas, Greg, and Randy Dietrich and Brian Jones. Honorary alternate pallbearers are Ernie Feierabend, Dale and Darrel Dietrich, Ricky Rivett and Ted David Kinchen. Special thanks to her weekend caregiver Tammy Gordon, Lanell Johnson, Kathi Humphrey, Dolores and Ray Clayton and all the neighbors at Legacy Court, Pinnacle Home Hospice, and Home Health, especially April Sibley, nurse, and Annette DeRoven, aide. We will miss you dearly, but we all know you're in Our Lord, Savior and Father's loving arms. You ran a long and hard race. You have won.