Paul Diehl

Paul I. Diehl, age 97, of St. Cloud and formerly of Burtrum, died Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Talahi Care Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Ronald Dockendorf officiating. Interment will be at St. John The Baptist Cemetery in Swanville with military honors by the Swanville American Legion Post 313 and the Swanville VFW Post 6037.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church in Grey Eagle. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the church.

Paul Ignatius Diehl was born October 19, 1916 in Plain, Wisconsin to Albert and Celia (Hartl) Diehl. As a young adult, Paul worked as a ranch hand in South Dakota. It was after this that he moved to Minnesota where he soon met his future wife, Frances. On September 30, 1941 he was united in marriage to Frances Thieschafer at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville. He later joined the United States Army and served during World War II in the Lightning Division and served in the Pacific Theatre. After being discharged from the military, he owned and operated a trucking company and then was employed by the United States Postal Service as a rural carrier in Burtrum, until he retired in 1974.

Paul enjoyed over-the-road truck driving, traveling, and going camping. It was during the years of traveling and camping that gave him the opportunity to meet new people and tell stories to anyone who would listen. Over the years, he owned several different camping vehicles; three of which he built himself. Paul and Frances wintered in the south for twenty-seven years. He was a member of the St Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle, T&M Rider's Saddle Club of Swanville, Swanville Lions and the Swanville American Legion Post 313.

Survivors include his children, Jim (Carol) Diehl of St. Augusta, Dick (Karen) Diehl of Fargo, Kathy Kath of Sauk Rapids, Don (Gail) Diehl of Darwin, and Sherry Leason of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Leo Loscheider of Little Falls.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Frances on March 21, 2010; parents; daughter, Pat Contreras; infant daughter; granddaughter, Monica Diehl; sister, Germaine Loscheider; and sons-in-law, Walter Kath and Chuck Leason.

Serving as casket bearers will be Paul's grandchildren, Jeff Diehl, Mike Diehl, Steve Diehl, Bob Diehl, Jason Kath, Brian Kath, Nicole Contreras, Tiffany LaVictoire, Jim Diehl Jr., Heather Diehl-Reames, Becky Henrichs, Kelly Poole, Brooke Hill, Travis Leason, and McKensey Leason. Cross bearer will be Alex Diehl and scripture bearer will be Sister Linda Dusek. Gift bearers will be Paul's great-grandchildren, Madeline and Sophia Poole, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Samantha Diehl, Jude and Shaylee Hill.

The family would like to thank the Talahi Care Center for the years of wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association.