Phyllis June Diekmann

Phyllis June (Hoelzel) Diekmann died at Deaconess Heart Hospital, Evansville, IN March 9, 2026, but now eternally stands in the presence of Christ in heavenly glory. She was born February 21, 1932, in Kansas City, MO to Theodore and Gertrude Hoelzel. Phyllis was baptized into Christ on March 13, 1932 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City. She and her family lived in Kansas City until they moved to Cleveland, OH in 1949 where she graduated from West Technical High School. After graduation the family moved to Evansville, IN and attended Trinity Lutheran Church, where she met her husband, Donald Diekmann, during a Walther League swimming outing in Lincoln City, IN. Phyllis and Don were engaged before he headed off to Germany to serve in the U.S. Army from 1951-53. During that time she wrote a letter to Don every single day, drawing the admiration of the General under whom Don served.

One month after Don’s return, they were married at Trinity Lutheran Church on May 9, 1953. She was employed at Mead Johnson as an executive secretary until they were blessed with two children, Gary and Carolyn. From that point on she was a beloved homemaker and mother, actively involved in the lives of her children. After raising Gary and Carolyn she returned to work for W. W. Grainger and Flanders Electric.

They enjoyed many summer and holiday family trips to visit Phyllis’ mother, father, younger sisters Grace, Nancy, and Kathy, and extended family in Missouri. Phyllis was a faithful member of Trinity, and then St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Evansville. Church life included being active in LWML as a member of the Ladies Guild, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and lending support to a multitude of other church activities.

Upon retiring, she enjoyed spending time with family, traveling with Don, and gardening. Throughout her life, she was known for her faithful, quiet kindness and was loved by her church family, her sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and especially Don, her loving husband of 72 years.

Phyllis is survived by husband Don; daughter, Carolyn (Rev. Richard) Woelmer of Bloomington, IN and grandsons Paul (Jamie) Woelmer of Johnston, RI, and Philip Woelmer of Chicago; daughter-in-law, Julie Diekmann of Evansville; grandchildren, Adam Diekmann of Evansville, Sarah (Frank) Coleman of Evansville, Andrew (Alex) Diekmann of Indianapolis; great-granddaughters, Penelope Diekmann and Phoebe Woelmer, and step great-grandchildren, Isaac, Titus, and Evie Coleman.

Also surviving are sisters, Dr. Grace Albano of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Kathleen (Rev. Dr. Thomas) Trapp of Bloomington, MN, brother-in-law Dr. Juan Nosti of Mission Hills, KS; nieces and nephews, Christy Albano, Sarah (Jennings) Albano Goodman, Dr. John (Peggy) Nosti, Dr. Andrew (Courtney) Nosti, Dr. Patrick (Hanae) Nosti, Elizabeth (Mark) Nosti Kettlewell, Matthew Trapp, Johanna (Zach) Trapp Simpson, and Daniel Trapp. She was pre-deceased by her parents, son Gary, brother-in-law Michael Albano, and sister Nancy Nosti.

Visitation will be at Alexander Funeral Home East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Ave., Evansville from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday, March 16, 2026 and on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 100 E. Michigan St., from noon until the funeral service at 1:00 pm. The Rev. Chad Eckels will officiate. Interment will follow at Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 100 E. Michigan St. Evansville IN 47711, or Evansville Lutheran School Foundation, 111 E. Virginia St. Evansville, IN 47711.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com