Leonard Edward Dieterich

Leonard Edward Albert Dieterich of Riesel entered into Eternal rest to be with his Savior peacefully on July 31, 2013 at Park Plaza Nursing Home in Mart, Texas. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riesel, Texas on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Robert J. Kitson officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be at Adams Funeral Home in Marlin, Texas on Friday, August 2, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Leonard, also known as Potty, was born August 10, 1937 in Falls County, Otto, Texas to Ernest J. and Gretchen (Berndt) Dieterich. He entered the Christian faith through baptism on September 19, 137 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Riesel, by Reverend E.A. Heckmann. Leonard confirmed his faith in Jesus as his Savior on April 29, 1951 also at Trinity by Reverend E.A. Heckmann. On November 7, 1959 he married the love of his life, Helen A. Fleischhauer at Trinity Church in Riesel by Reverend Eric Knippa. Their marriage was blessed by God with 3 children. A life-long member of Trinity, Riesel, Leonard served as an Elder and Board of Finance at the church as well as volunteering for Braille work. He loved his Savior very much. Leonard also farmed and worked cattle all of his life as well as being employed at General Tire of Waco for 14 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, going fishing and being together with his family. He loved his family and grandchildren very much and spoke of them often. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Lydia Mae Dieterich and Mabel Woodward, and by three brothers, Oscar, Alvin and Lawrence Dieterich, four brothers-in law, Bruce Koester, Alton Synatsch, Gussie Woodward and Jared Shockley and two sisters-in-law, Lucille Dieterich and Myrtle Dieterich.

Survivors include his wife, Helen of Riesel, children, Ricky Dieterich and wife Teresa of Riesel, Barbara Owen and her husband Ronnie of Riesel and Bobby and Deborah of Riesel, seven grandchildren, Gayle Dieterich and Fiancé Darren Young of Reagan, Darline Dieterich of Hallsburg, Patrick Owen and wife, Holli of Hallsburg, Krista Owen and Brandon Dieterich of Waco and Chase Dieterich and Keleigh Dieterich both of Riesel, one step grandchild, Tinsley and husband, Matt Cunningham of Barry, two great grandchildren, Cobyn Dieterich of Waco and Emma Faye Owen of Hallsburg and two step great grandchildren, Carli Cunningham and Cate Cunningham of Barry, brothers, Ernest Dieterich, Jr. of Perry, Kenneth Dieterich and wife, Elizabeth of Valley Mills, sisters, Della Heckman and husband, Harold of Houston and Florence Shockley of Lubbock, sisters-in-law, Dorothy Dieterich of Riesel, Dorothy Koester of Mart and Alice Koester and husband, Victor of Ft. Worth. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Pallbearers are Brandon Dieterich, Patrick Owen, Chase Dieterich, Darren Young, Anthony Dieterich, Glenn Dieterich, Russell Dieterich and Lance Dieterich. Honorary pallbearers Gayle Dieterich, Darlene Dieterich, Krista Owen, Keleigh Dieterich and the staff at Park Plaza Nursing Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church of Riesel, Roof Fund, P.O. Box 447, Riesel, Texas 76682 or to Bluebonnet Hospice of Waco, Texas.

The family would like to thank the loving staff at Park Plaza Nursing Home in Mart, for their many years of love and compassion given to Leonard. They would also like to thank the Bluebonnet Hospice staff for their kind and caring support shown to Leonard during the last year. May God Bless you richly.