Donna J. Diekhoff

Donna Jean Diekhoff, 95, of Delavan, passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at her home. 

Born May 3, 1926 at the home of her parents, Ray H. and Marguerite Jenike Lillibridge, Donna was blessed with four sisters, Ruth, Carolyn, Alice, and Mary; and two brothers, Ray and Jim. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Wendell of 66 years, her parents, four sisters, and one brother. 

Surviving are her children, Wendy Koeppen-Diekhoff and Dirk (Jill) Diekhoff, both of Delavan; grandchildren, Katie (Matt) Dunn of Texas, Emily (David) Lytle of Lewisville, NC, Sarah (Patrick) Rynertson of Champaign, Caleb (Kathy) Diekhoff of Chicago, Micah (Devyn) Diekhoff of Lovina, MI; great grandchildren, Avery and Sydney Dunn, Charlie, Lilith, and Lincoln Lytle, Rhea, Roarik, and Rex Rynertson, Isaiah, Henry Wendell, and Elliot Diekhoff of Chicago; and one brother, James Lillibridge of Seattle, WA. 

Donna graduated from Delavan High School and Illinois State University, where she majored in English. Loving to read, she taught literature at Illini Central in Mason City from 1970-1986.  After retiring, she served as a teacher’s aide in reading and was s trustee for the Ayer Public Library. 

Locally, Donna was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church teaching the Bethel Series and the adult Sunday school class.  She has served as an election judge and enjoyed being a member of the evening book club at the library. 

A graveside service will at 11:00 am Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Prairie Rest Cemetery in Delavan.  Pastor Jean Sparks will officiate.  There will be no visitation.  Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Delavan is handling the arrangements. 

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Indian School 1301 N. Main St. Chamberlain, SD  57325 or OSF Hospice.

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