Verdean Dietrich

Verdean Lyndall Dietrich, age 70, of Garnavillo, Iowa died Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, Guttenberg, Iowa. Verdean was born on March 3, 1944 to Cornelius and Pearl (Schloetzer) Dietrich in Rural Elkader, IA. He attended school in Guttenberg until the 10th grade and later obtained his GED. Verdean was united in marriage to Bonnie LaDage on February 8, 1964 in Marion, Iowa and were blessed with three children; Brian, Janadene, and Shelley. Verdean lived and worked in Cedar Rapids, IA after being married and then moved back to Guttenberg, where he worked for the City of Guttenberg and also drove ambulance. He and Bonnie owned and operated the bowling alley located above the Ben Franklin in Guttenberg. He attended and graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy on May 2, 1969. He became the Chief of Police for the City of Garnavillo in 1969 through 1977 and also worked for the City of Garnavillo doing maintenance. Verdean served as a volunteer fireman for more than 25 years and also served as Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Chief. He was also a First Responder. Verdean became a Deputy Sheriff for the Clayton County Sheriffs Office in 1977 and became Sheriff in 1985 until he retired in 2001. He was a member of the I.S.S.D.A. Verdean was a member of the E911 Communications Board and was the Emergency Management Coordinator for many years. He worked as the Chief of Police for the City of Garnavillo from 2001 until 2010. Verdean served in law enforcement for 41 years 56 days and was very proud of being an Officer, Deputy, Sheriff, and Chief. Verdean worked part-time for the City of Garnavillo doing administrative duties and maintenance. He was very dedicated to serving his community in any way he could and was dedicated to helping his friends and neighbors. During his lifetime he loved gardening, mowing grass, plowing snow, playing Santa, doing latch hook and needlepoint, puzzles, telling stories, fishing in Minnesota, and bowling. Spending time with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren was very important to him. He also loved to watch his grandchildren at their school and sporting events and dance. He was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Garnavillo, IA. Verdean is survived by his wife of 50 years, Bonnie, two daughters, Jan (David) Heck of Garnavillo, and Shelley (Jason) Oberbreckling of Coggon; 7 grandchildren, Hayley Dietrich of Cedar Rapids, Tyler and Brianna Werges, Daden, Jayce, Ella and Kasten Oberbreckling of Coggon; brother Owen (Loraine) Dietrich of Cedar Rapids, his sister-in-law Phyllis Dietrich of Dubuque, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Verdean was preceded in death by his parents, his son Brian, his brother Leroy, and his sister Arleen. Pall Bearers were Loren Dietrich, Dan Dietrich, Dan Dietrich, II, Bill Werges, Lyndon Meyer, and Lance Amsden.In Lieu of flowers, plants and all types of sympathy, the family has requested that memorials be given to either, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Garnavillo Fire Department & EMS, Garnavillo Boosters or a charity of your choice.Visitation: Sunday 2:00 - 7:00 P.M. June 01, 2014 at the Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home Garnavillo, Iowa and one hour before service at the Garnavillo School Gymnasium.Funeral Service: Monday 10:00 A.M. June 02, 2014 at the Garnavillo School GymnasiumInterment: Guttenberg City Cemetery Service Information A service summary is not available