A week or so ago I was talking to Cobe and Nicole about all of the fun times I had in Stratton.  They don't remember their Grandpa John very well.  I was telling them of how friendly he was.  Everytime we were out and about or out to dinner he would strike up a conversation with someone, whether he knew them or not.  He touched the lives of so many people.

Another year has passed since you left us to go to Heaven. I miss you here on the farm. It’s been a strange spring with wet cool days. The wheat is not nearly ready for harvest. The corn looks good. The  cattle in the pastures are doing good. I know you and Rick are talking over old times since he joined you in July. So sad for all family but I know Jesus and Aunt Ann welcomed him to Heaven. Until I join you in Heaven, continue to watch over us. Love eternally ❤️

This shows my dad and mom's sweet smiles.  They were so happy as a couple.  The closest to perfect that you can get on this earth

There were so many fun times that all the cousins and I had on the farm.  We would go out four-wheeling, playing in the river, or whatever it was that day.  Then we would go into the house and have coffee break with grandpa and grandma.  Happy Birthday Grandpa.  

In the spring of 2009 I remember going with you to feed the steers at Clark's pasture.  You took two huge bales of feed and I took the pickup to open the gates for you.  One time you were so concerned about two steers that were about 1/4 mile away and you drove the tractor with the bales and attracted the steers to come eat with the rest of the herd.  I thought they would surely come by themselves when they were hungry enough but you wanted to check on them and get them to eat.  Always loved your animals.

I have so many good memories of you, dad.  Maybe the earliest is riding around with you in your old pickup looking at crops.  I remember a hole in the floorboard that I enjoyed looking through and seeing the ground and then falling asleep.  I loved being with you doing chores. Miss you so much, dad.

What a nice way to share memories of John!  He was my second cousin and we shared a great grandma and grandpa (John and Sarah Ann Diehl). I was very privileged to meet and get to know John and Julia at home one early May morning in 2009. They were expecting a contractor to come and work in the kitchen, and were very gracious to let me come visit until he arrived. After expaining our relationship, they showed me many pictures of the family and we tried to catch up on all the years that had passed since C.B. (my grandmother's brother) had made Stratton his home.   I was really over-whelmed by the love shown between John and Julia- If everyone could have that lasting love for their mate- there would be no divorces!   The community and the family has lost a fine man- but what an example of a life like his,  to follow !  With love from a grateful lady in Iowa- Letta Rae Richardson

Lyle Stabenow has sent you a note from John C. Diehl memorial website:
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What a beautiful tribute to your father. I am a former classmate of yours. I moved from Stratton in 1962. I worked for your dad after school and some on saturdays picking up and moving irrigation pipe and numerious other odd jobs. The time I remember best is the time the prize bull went right through the RR tie corral that your dad had built to contain him. Can't really remember what spooked the bull, but it was quite a surprise to all of us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your fammily. Take care 
 

Since Grandma couldn't hear my comments at the rosary on Tuesday, I'll recap here for her and for anyone else who’s interested what I think I said: 

“I think I was about the same age that my son Blake is right now when Steve and I visited the farm one time.  At the end of the day before we fell asleep in what’s now known as the rose room, we were reflecting on the day.  I’m not sure who it was, but one of us said, "Boy, Grandpa sure does ask a lot of questions!"  

It's been said that the greatest virtue of man is perhaps curiosity. And, the French philosopher Voltaire said to judge a man by his questions, not by his answers.  Voltaire didn't know my Grandpa, but he would have agreed that he truly was a great man.

Grandpa asked a lot of questions because he never wanted to stop learning.  But even more, I believe he asked questions because he genuinely cared about people and wanted to get to know them.

Grandpa taught me so many life lessons. 

One is that there is value in hard work.  Grandpa was successful largely because of his efforts.  He made his own luck. 

He taught us to take care of the things that God blessed him with.  He was always taking care of his land by keeping it clean and tidy and by running an efficient farm.  He loved and appreciated nature.  He cared for and frequently checked his crops, livestock, fences, oil wells and equipment. 

He enjoyed taking trips, but was always anxious to return home.  He never changed his watch because he always wanted to know what time it was back home.  And why wouldn’t he look forward to his return?  He had such a wonderful place to come home to. 

He found a way to strike a perfect balance between being frugal yet generous.  He wasn’t a showy man, but was extravagant when it came to taking care of others.  He was quick to pick up the check at a restaurant, sometimes for an acquaintance dining nearby. As a child, he made sure to offer me a stick of gum from the glove box in his pickup.  When I was old enough to visit on my own, on so many occasions he made sure that I left with a full tank of gas, a cooler of meat, and maybe a $20 bill in my pocket.

Maybe the best thing about Grandpa, were the women in his life.  He raised 5 beautiful daughters that I’m sure were the pride of Stratton High.  And, he managed to find the most wonderful lifelong companion who helped him become the man he was.

That’s my Grandpa.”

Can't you just hear daddy saying, "Say now," when he was going to begin telling you what he thought about something or how we were going to do something.  Daddy was always amazed when he watched the jet streams in the sky.  He loved to watch the planes leave their trails across the sky.

We all used to go down to trail 7 at Swanson reservoir.  Grandpa would let us use one of his tubes from the tractors so we would have a giant floaty tube to play on.  One of those times we had a bunch of my aunts and cousin there.  After playing in the cold water we all lined up our towels and laid down for some sun in our bikinis.  Grandpa walked over a short time later and said to all of us " You all need to put some cloths on"   Grandpa was always looking out for each and every one of us!

Everytime John was around I remember vividly heartwarming laughs,and sparkling eyes that added to the fun.

One time we brought our little spaniel Dixie to the farm.

She was all excited to get out after the long ride. liickety split she chase a few of his prize cows right through a very stout corral.They ran throgh that corall like it was not even there. Stout  wood was snappin like Overlille Redinbockers popcorn,

and Uncle John tooks his hat off and laughed.

"Come on Boy's get your dog"