Obituary of George Henry Diehl

DIEHL - George

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of George Henry Diehl on May 13, 2024, at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon at the age of 85.

George was born September 25, 1938, at the homestead in the Aldina District of the Thickwood Hills, Saskatchewan. 

He attended the one-room Aldina School and then finished his education in Marcelin where he was taught by the nuns.  After completing Grade 8 he ventured out into the work world.

He worked on the oil rigs in southern Saskatchewan for about a year, and after that, building the Hansen Lake Road operating the cat.  It was during that time that he met his future bride, Grace Lehner, of Prince Albert.  George then found work in Calgary, Alberta, as a grader operator for the city.  After his full workday, he would then drive a taxi at night.

George and Grace were married on October 10, 1961, and settled in Calgary.  Shortly after, they moved to Crossfield, Alberta where George worked on a cattle ranch.  They moved back to Calgary where he worked for Pioneer Paving driving the oil truck.  Four of their children were born in Calgary.

George always wanted to move back to Saskatchewan, which they did, in 1971, when he got a job working for the RM of Leask.  Their fifth child was born in Shellbrook during this time.  They lived in town until 1972 when they moved a mobile home onto the land they had purchased 12 miles west of Leask.  He raised some cattle, pigs, and sheep as well as chickens, ducks, and geese (George always had a particular fondness for his chickens).  George also worked for the Village of Leask for a short time but then returned to the RM, where he operated the grader.  He eventually became the foreman.  George retired from the RM at the age of 55.  His interest in the RM didn’t end there, as he was a Councillor for the RM of Leask for many years.

He was an active board member of Martin’s Lake Regional Park and served as president of that organization for a period of time.  George has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion since 1999 and has served in various positions.  He really enjoyed the Legion and was very dedicated.

George loved fishing in summer and ice fishing in winter.  He was an avid big game hunter, which provided meat for his family. George and Grace moved to Parkside in 2014.

George is lovingly survived by His wife: Grace Diehl; His children: Valorie (Mervin) Magnuson and family: Andrea and Jeslin; David Diehl and family: Ryan (Amanda) – Mason, & Faith; Jordan (Heather) - Sadie-Grace, Anakin-James, Jax-Jude, Rory-Jorge; Megan (Adrian) – Lily; Wayne (Gail) Diehl and family: Marcus (Kristin); Matthew (Shelby) - Henry, Remi; Charmaine (Jonathan) - Timothy, Emmalynn, Benjamin; Rachel; Luke; Sandra (Shawn) Panio and family: Aaron, Brandon, Christine (Kai); Mavia (Craig) Stochmanski and family: Devin (Kimberlee), Shynelle (Mark), Alexis (Robert), Brennan; His brothers: Ron Diehl, Bert (Yvonne) Diehl; His siblings-in-law: Marie Robin, Carolyn Feir, Linda Schuler (Jerry), Deanna Lehner; Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends

George is predeceased by His parents: Henry and Lea Diehl; His parents-in-law: Jenson and Doralis Lehner; His sister-in-law: Eleanor Diehl; His brothers-in-law: Roy and John Lehner, and Emil Robin.

The Mass of Christian Burial for George will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. from St. Agatha’s Roman Catholic Church in Shellbrook. George will be laid to rest in the Shellbrook Cemetery. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of George to either STARS (Hanger 21- 2475 Airport Rd. Saskatoon, SK S7L 1M4) or Mass Intentions.

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium, Tammy Smart, Funeral Director, Shellbrook, SK. 306-747-2828.