Russell Diehl

Russell P. Diehl Age 84, of Neenah, formerly of Manawa, WI and also of Naples, FL passed away after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at Naples Community Hospital, FL He was born March 22, 1922 in Chicago to the late Phillip E. and Clara E. (Cook) Diehl. He married Carol Lou Doepke on August 10, 1953 at Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI. Russ graduated from Shurz High School Chicago and received his undergraduate from Ripon College and his Masters in Administration from the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. He also did post-graduate work in administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was a member of Delta Sigma Phi, Tau Kappa Tau and Kappa Delta Phi while at Ripon College. He received the Golden R Award in 2002. Russell was a district administrator in Manawa, Albany, Random Lake and Viroqua and began his career as a teacher of history and debate at Berlin High School. From Berlin he took a position in Port Washington High School where he met his wife Carol. They then moved to Rhinelander to teach and to live on Crescent Lake which they enjoyed until he moved to become a district administrator. He also served as high school principal in Necedah, WI and was an admission's director with Patricia Stevens Career College in Milwaukee. Russell was an active community member in Manawa having served on the Manawa City Council, the Sturm Memorial Library Board and the church council of Zion Lutheran Church. He also served many years as the Sunday School Superintendent at Zion. He was a member of the Manawa Lions and the Random Lake Lions Club. Russ was a Mason and had been a member of several Masonic Orders including the Berlin Lodge #38, Ozaukee Lodge #17 at Port Washington, the Manawa Lodge #82 where he served as Master of this lodge. He received his 50 year recognition as a Mason in the year 2002. He was a member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and a charter member of the Beja Shrine Temple in Green Bay. Russ was also an honorary member of the Park Ridge #143 Lodge in Park Ridge, IL and a member of the Krazy Kops Korps and the Marco Island Shrine Club. Russ served his country in the United States Navy during World War II from July 9, 1943 until his honorable discharge on February 25, 1946. He was part of the USS Navy Hospital Corps and served on the USS Repose. He was a member of the American Legion Post 226. Russ was also a life member of the American Association of School Administrators and had been a member of the National School Public Relations Association, the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators and Past Chairman of the Kiwanis Key Club. He is listed in Who's Who in American Education. Russ was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Appleton and an associate member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manawa. In Naples, FL he attended Shepherd of the Glades Lutheran Church. Russ and Carol resided in Naples, FL during the winter and otherwise in Wisconsin. He truly enjoyed both places and the time he could spend with his children and grandchildren who were precious to him. His love of family was never ending and his goal in life was to see his grandchildren reach each milestone. He loved renewing his marriage vows when he and Carol celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 8, 2003. Russell is survived by his loving wife Carol, and two children: Holly (Richard) Nelson, New Canaan, CT and son Jeffrey (Traci) Diehl, Greenville, WI. His four loving grandchildren: Adam and Erin Nelson and Ethan and Corey Diehl. His love of history, the daily weather, shell collecting, and personal stories of his life were gifts he gave to his beloved grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held for Russ on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 11:00AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Manawa with Rev. Vicki Fink officiating. Friends may call at Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral in Manawa from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, and a Masonic Service will be held at 7:00PM. Friends may also call at Zion Lutheran Church, in Manawa from 10:00AM until the memorial service at 11:00AM. Traci Diehl will provide the joyful song of praise to the Lord who is taking him home until we meet again. A private burial service will take place at Little Wolf Cemetery in the Town of Little Wolf. Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Children Hospital through the Beja Temple in Green Bay; the Arthur Krempin School of Music & Art at First English Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, Zion Lutheran Church elevator fund, Manawa, WI or the Shepherd of the Glades Lutheran Church, Naples, FL. The family wishes to express their thanks to Pastor Art Bliese, Shrine members and friends of Naples and Manawa and all other friends who offered support and comfort during his life. He is now with the Author of Life and will live under God's reign through Christ. He passed away as Carol was reading to Russ these words: "I discovered how fulfilling it is too let God lead me. By letting go and letting God, I become part of a divine solution." Cline - Hanson - Dahlke Funeral Home 176 N. Bridge Street, Manawa 920-982-3232