On June 2, 2017, John W. Dietrich, 91, was called home to the Lord's waiting arms and reunited with his loving wife, Joan. John was born to Arthur and Alice Dietrich on January 24, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the third of four children.
During World War II, John was stationed in the South Pacific on the island of Tarawa. He served from April 17, 1944 through March 16, 1946 as a cryptographer with the 71st Army Airways Communication System. Following his service with the Army Air Force, John graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering, in 1948. He was then employed for Whirlpool Corporation, the Laundry division, where he designed the innovative “Combination Washer/Dryer”. John retired from Whirpool in 1986, after 34 years of service.
John married Joan L. Hanson on May 20, 1949 and moved to Stevensville, Michigan in January, 1952. They lived in Stevensville until 2009, when they moved to Penrose, Colorado to be closer to their children and granddaughter.
John and Joan were very social and loved to entertain in their home. They also spent much time traveling the world and spent many summers at their cabin in Curtis, Michigan.
John will be remembered for his financial and investment savvy, always being behind the camera, his sense of humor, as well as his love of Chinese food and chocolate chip Blizzards.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Joan L. Dietrich; parents, Arthur and Alice Dietrich; brother, Arthur and sister, Mary Alice. John is survived by his brother, Fred (Elaine); sister-in-law, Marjorie Lilley; son, William; daughter, Barbara; granddaughter, Amy (Josh) Holcomb and many nieces and nephews.
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