Virginia S. Diesen

Virginia Diesen, age 82, of Carlyle died Wednesday, March 14, 2012 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born January 21, 1930 in Carlyle, IL daughter of Frank and Mary (Schnieder) Spitz. She married Elmer "Drake" Diesen on August 19, 1961 at St. Mary’s Church in Carlyle and he preceded her in death on July 20, 1999.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, her brother: Joe Spitz; her sisters and brother-in-law: Catherine Kiehna, Helen and Tom Isert and Grover Wilkinson; and grandsons: Ellison and Andrew Diesen.

She is survived by three sons, Michael and wife Christine (Filler) of Vernon Hills, IL, Kevin and wife Sandra (Ruth) of Natchez, MS, Stephen and wife Mary (Klein) of Grand Rapids, MI, sister Marie Wilkinson of Centralia, IL, her brother-in-law Wayne Kiehna of Greenville, TN, numerous nieces and nephews and 6 grandchildren.

Mrs. Diesen was involved in social work for her entire adult life having been employed by the State of Illinois Department of Public Aid until her retirement in 1990. She enjoyed traveling, camping, bowling, T.O.P.S., boot-scooting, card club with her and Drake’s lifelong friends, St. Mary’s church, Carlyle Senior Center, Cub/Boy Scouts, Illinois department of aging, and she was an avid walker and biker.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday March 19th at 10:00am at St. Mary’s in Carlyle with Fr. George Mauck officiating. The interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.

Friends may visit with the family at the Frerker Funeral Home in Carlyle on Sunday from 4 to 8:00 P.M. or on Monday from 8:00 to 9:30 AM.

Expressions of sympathy are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences and memories of Virginia may be left for the Diesen family by visiting www.frerkerfuneral.com .