Connie Dieken

Connie (Thomas) Dieken, age 83, passed away Friday, Augu. 20, 2021 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. 

A Celebration of life was held on Friday, Aug. 27, at Wesley United Methodist Church, Mason City.  

Connie, the youngest of five children, born to Christy J. and Lessie (Phipps) Thomas, was born in Osmond, Neb., on Dec. 1, 1937. She attended country school and graduated high school in Rock Rapids, Iowa in 1956. She enjoyed playing the trombone in the high school band. Connie married Marlyn Dieken on April 15, 1957, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union five children were born. After living in several cities, the Dieken family moved to Clear Lake, to open and operate a shoe store and repair shop in Clear Lake and then in Mason City. 

In 1982, Connie, Marlyn and daughter, Lisa, moved to Waverly. Connie worked in a women’s clothing store for many years. A few years after Marlyn’s retirement, Connie and Marlyn moved to Mason City to be closer to their children. 

Connie loved her family, reading, music, having coffee with friends, and shopping. She loved caring for her beautiful flowers and watching the birds. 

Those mourning her loss include her husband, Marlyn, Mason City; children, Donna (Tom) Rafferty, Mason City, Steve (Dawn) Dieken, Clear Lake, Pam (Tom) Solberg, Clear Lake, and Lisa Dieken, Mason City; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren with the 16th due in December; and 16 nieces and nephews. 

Preceding her in death were her parents; and her siblings, and their spouses, Helen (John) Winter, Betty (Howard) Porter, Chris (Marie) Thomas, and Richard Thomas; infant daughter, Debra (Donna’s twin); and nephew, Thomas Porter.