Elna Kristina Dieken

Elna Kristina Dieken, 90, was ushered into her heavenly home surrounded by her children on the evening of Saturday, January 6, 2024. She was born on June 15, 1933 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Danish immigrant parents, Vilhelm and Kamma Urup. She was raised on farms in the Fredsville area. She attended country school and graduated from Dike High School in 1951.

On June 20, 1951, Elna was united in marriage to the love of her life, Eldon, at Lincoln Center Christian Reformed Church in rural Grundy Center. From this union, the couple was blessed with four children: Brenda, Belinda, Bonita, and Randy.

Earlier on in life, Elna was greatly impacted by a church message which encouraged her to use up all of her God-given gifts so that when she reached her heavenly home, she arrived with an empty tank. She consequently lived her life with a true servant’s heart. She lived life one person at a time. Attentive, listening, and caring for each person she was with whether family, friend, or stranger. She was an encourager, and a selfless, compassionate woman. Her very humble demeanor impacted people in ways that she didn’t even realize. She was hospitable. She was inclusive. And she loved the Lord with her whole heart and soul.

She found great joy in the simple things in life. Elna loved the farm and farm life. She treasured her animals, her garden, and her flowers. Elna was an avid nature lover and she loved to walk. She relished the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

She was also an extremely creative woman. She sewed, did ceramics, refinished furniture, painted, and had a natural aptitude for crafting. Elna was also a great storyteller.

There will be a celebration of life for Elna at Lincoln Township Cemetery rural Grundy Center, Iowa at 2:00 pm on July 20, 2024. Memorial contributions may be directed in Elna’s name to her family to later be donated to a charity of their choice.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving children - Brenda Chase of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Belinda Geertsma (Jim) of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Bonita Davis (Shan) of rural Dike, Iowa; Randy (Angie) Dieken of Dike, Iowa - 14 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren (with more on the way); 2 brother-in-laws, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband; her parents; her father and mother-in-law (Heye and Marie Dieken); her two sisters, Agnes Riebkes and Grethe Gauger; and a son-in-law, Randy Chase.