February 8, 1948 ~ January 22, 2011
Resided in:
Torrance, CA
Dieken, John Henry, a 26 year resident of Torrance, CA, passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2011. Born in Hartford, SD, John was 62 when he died. John enlisted in the Air Force in 1968 and retired as a Major in 1993 after serving in both Vietnam and Desert Shield. John was a member of the Optimist Club and the United Methodist Men.
John graduated from Hartford High School and attended Morningside College in Sioux City, IA before joining the Air Force. He received a B.S. from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1976. After retiring from the Air Force John volunteered for a variety of organizations including the United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald House. From 2000 to 2010 he was a Senior District Executive with the Los Angeles Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He touched countless lives through his service to his community. John is survived by wife, Laura Dieken of Torrance, CA; daughter, Sharon Wright of Torrance, CA; and son, Paul Dieken of Altadena, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Ida Dieken. A memorial service will be held at Hope United Methodist Church in Torrance, CA on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at ten am. Burial will be private.
Guestbook
I Love you John!! It is hard to settle with the thoughts but I wont question it I just dont understand why it had to happen this way. The girls were looking for you when we were at taco bell the other day:( Much Love for your from me Anasia & Bailei (the grandkids you never had)
I’m really sorry to hear of the passing of John. John was a very caring and compassionate person, always helpful. He was a great co-worker, always polite and smiling and I will truly miss him. I pray God’s continuous blessings upon his famiy. Be Blessed
You will be missed…
It was a shock for me to see my old high school friend had passed away. We where in MYF went to camp at Storm Mt.in Black Hills worked building I90 near Mitchell in 1966.I am thankfull that we had a nice visit when he was here this past summer.Latter this summer during Hartford UMC 125th. anniv.I discovered that the altar bible was given to the church in 1946 by his grand parents in honor of there three sons one of which was John’s dad Hank. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to share this with John but Laura you and your childern Sharon & Paul will know some of your family history is here at HUMC. John rest in peace. You all are in my prayers Love Larry
John you will be missed! It was my honor to know you, call you my friend and work alongside you on the Boy Scouts of America-L.A. Area Council.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family John. We started 1st grade together and were cub scouts together at that time 12 years later we graduated High school together, so many great memories. Rest in peace my friend
We are sorry to hear about your lost.
The Deken Family, Hoping that time will pass soon, it does help heal wounds. With sympathy and keeping you and yours in my my prayers. Sylvia & Larry Hartzell
Sorry we couldn’t make it to the service. We have a previous comitment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Sending you our thoughts and love and wishing you peace. With all our love always….
I went to Hartford High School and graduated in the class of 1966 with John. My condolences go out to John’s wife and children.
I first worked with John when he was DE for Frontier District. He was superb in his role as a DE. He worked hard for all of the volunteers and the scouts. I enjoyed working with him and I know that he will be missed. He was a fine and genuinely good person.
Dieken Family, I want you to know that I had great respect and love for John. When I became involved with United Methodist Men at the conference level, John drove Andy and me to the meeting in Orange County. He was helpful in so many ways, aside from his scouting ministry. He had a giant’s heart for loving and serving. May God bless and keep you at this trying time. Larry Dozier Second vice President National Association of Conference Presidents and former president Cal-Pac Annual Conference, UMM
John’s years of dedicated and faithful service to his Lord, his church, his country, and community is a blessing, encouragement and challenge to us all. May God bless and comfort you in your loss at John’s passing. Yours in Christ and proud Eagle Scout parent,
Jehovah “will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.â€â€”Isaiah 25:8. lois.petty94@gmail.com
Laura, we just heard about John. We cannot tell you how sad we were to hear about him. We did not get to connect very often but really loved him. He was one of those friends that you pick up right you left off, no matter how long since last seeing him. Please know that we are praying for you, Paul, and Sharon. He was one of the most positive people we know. He was very proud of all of you.