Mrs. Albert (Lillian) Diehlmann, 80, Lena, died peacefully at home on February 28, 2000 in the company of her husband, pastor, children and friends.
She was born to the late Herman and Nettle (Nelson) Benzine January 7, 1920 in Rio, Wisconsin. The former Lillian Benzine married Albert Diehlmann April 15, 1939 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rio. She spent her life raising her children, cooking, gardening and caring for her household, a domestic life she took much pride in. She enjoyed family gatherings, playing cards with friends, her dog Annie, her cat, and feeding and watching the birds in her yard. She was a congregate of Calvary Lutheran Church, Abrams, where she was a member of the Ladies Aid Society. She was also a past member of the Lena Homemakers Club. Over the years she worked as a school bus driver, Matron for Oconto County Sheriff's Department and was an Assisted Living Aid for the Oconto County Department of Social Services.
Lillian is survived by her husband, Albert; eight children, Sharon (Gerald) Hartman, Newton; Carol (Ron) Van Hoff, Lena; Dorothy (Daniel) Sickinger, Manitowoc; Diane Paitl, Lena; David (Laurie) Diehlmann, Lena; Wendy (Steven) Ringersma, Oconto; Michael Diehlmann, Lena; Pennie (John) Marquardt, Lena; three sisters, Gladys Reif, Norma Larson, Hazel Jacobson and one brother, Virgil (Helen) Benzine, all of Rio, WI; 28 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and several step-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Mary Ann, one grandson, Jason Diehlmann, and one great-grandson, Gaige Marcoe.
Friends called at the Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, Lena. Funeral service was conducted 12 p.m. Thursday at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Lena with Rev. Alan Klessig officiating. Interment at Our Savior Lutheran Cemetery Town of Spruce.
"We always loved to see her around at her house or driving though town. She always had something nice to say and always brightened everyone's day," said grandson, Ben.