Marlyn D. Dieken

Marlyn D. Dieken, 87, eight days from his 88th birthday, died Nov. 7, 2023 at Good Shepherd Care Center, Mason City.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Wesley United Methodist Church,  Mason City, Iowa. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service.

Marlyn, the oldest child of John and Mattie (Christians) Dieken, was born Nov. 15, 1935, in Adrian, Minn. He attended country school and Little Rock, Iowa High School. He worked on the family farm beside his parents, until he joined the U.S. Army in 1954. He was stationed in Texas, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was then sent to Alaska to lead a crew in building an earthquake proof church.

When he returned home from his service, he met Connie Thomas on a blind date and they were married on April 15, 1957. Their union was blessed with five children.

After a severe car accident, Marlyn was trained and opened a shoe repair business in Clear Lake. Soon, he added new shoes and orthopedic shoes for all ages. Marlyn and Connie soon moved their business to Mason City. He started making custom shoes for people with special needs. After several years the Mason City business was moved to Waverly, Iowa. 

Marlyn mentored teenagers who worked for him from Bremwood Center. Some of those teens stayed in contact for years. Marlyn continued to repair shoes until he was 80 years old. After retirement, Marlyn and Connie moved back to Mason City to be close to their children. Marlyn spent his last years on wood-working projects with a scroll saw and watching birds at home and at Lime Creek Nature Center.

He is survived by his children, Donna (Tom) Rafferty, Steve (Dawn) Dieken, Pam (Tom) Solberg and Lisa Dieken; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; his brother, Don (Marie) Dieken, Little Rock; and sister, Diann (Gerald) Meendering, Aurelia, Iowa; as well as two nephews.

Marlyn was preceded in death by his wife, Connie; an infant daughter, Debra (Donna’s twin); and his parents.

Family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Mason City Veterans Monument Contribution, at the address of 539 8th St. SE, Mason City, Iowa, 50401.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.