John Diebold

John M. Diebold, 84, of Merrifield, MN passed peacefully on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, MN surrounded by his loving family. Services for John will be held on Friday, July 1, 2016 at 12:00PM with Pastor William Zeige officiating at Mission Of The Cross Lutheran Church in Crosslake, MN. Friends are welcome to gather beginning at 11:00AM at the church.

John was born on July 31, 1931 in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin to Marshall and Frances (Fosshage) Diebold. He grew up in Northfield, MN before graduating from Southwest High School in Minneapolis, MN. John worked for the railroad before and after entering the United States Army where he was honorably discharged. John was united into marriage to Erlynne Aldous on September 19, 1953 in Alexandria, MN, and they subsequently made their home in Coon Rapids, MN for many years. He worked for 33 years at Northern State Power as a Control Room Operator. John was very much a people person and loved having great conversations with all. While John enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, and trapping, he particularly liked to split wood "Happiness is a big wood pile!" and observe the daily sunsets at his "Special" Pelican Lake home. It was at Pelican Lake that John became known as "Beach Grandpa" to his grandchildren and where he was able to pass his great love of the lake onto them.

John is survived by his children, Keith (Barb) Diebold of Grand Rapids, MN and Kim (Dr. Jeff) Holmberg of Annandale, MN; grandchildren, Ryan (Amber) Diebold, Eric Diebold, Holly (Brian) Shea, and Kayla (David) Damberger; sister, Janet (Homer) Scott of Sheridan, WY; and brother, Jay (Susan) Diebold of Alexandria, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife; Erlynne; parents, Marshall and Frances; sister, Susan; and brother, James. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.