Gilbert E. Diercks age 96 of Clinton, passed away Wednesday Sept. 15, 2021 at Mill Valley Care Center, Bellevue. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday Sept. 20th at Faith Lutheran Church in Andover. Visitation will be held Monday 9:30 AM until the service hour at Faith Lutheran Church. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Burial will be at Andover Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Dale, Dennis, and Dwayne Schroeder, Lonnie and Jeffrey Diercks, and Michael Johnson. Memorials may be given to Faith Lutheran Church or Camp Courageous. Online condolences may be left at papefh.com.
Gilbert was born on April 11, 1925 in rural Andover, the son of Emil and Agnes (Henningson) Diercks. He married Dolores Cornilsen on Aug. 3, 1947 in Preston, Iowa. He farmed his whole life on the family Century Farm in Clinton County. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Andover, the Cattleman’s and Pork Producers Associations; Lions Club, Farm Bureau Association, Andover Volunteer Fire Department, Izaak Walton League, ASC Office, DeWitt, and a trustee with Elk River Township. He enjoyed going on Cattleman’s tours, playing cards, family time, and driving his side-by-side on the farm.
Gilbert is survived by his wife, Dolores Diercks; six children, Brenda Johnson of Thomsen, IL, Rick (Kathy Schoel) Diercks of Clinton, Carol Diercks of Clinton, Kevin (Patti) Diercks of Andover, Lisa (Tim) Till of Bellevue, IA, and Michael Diercks of Clinton; seven grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Johnson, Kristen (Chad) Rahe, Jill (Jeff Hart) Diercks, Jennifer (Josh Wall) Diercks, Kelli (Ben) Daehler, Lindsey Long, Lauren (Keaton Tebbe) Till; 9 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; his sister, Darlene Schroeder of Clinton; and several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant grandson, Brandon Till, grandson-in-law, Collin Long, a brother, Vernon Diercks, and a sister, Laverne Myers, and son-in-law, Richard Johnson.
My sympathy to everyone. I missed the Obit in the paper or I would have made the visitation. I sure did enjoy my time with Gibby on FB board 30 yrs ago and seeing him at fire dept breakfasts. We always had to talk cattle and how many each of us had on feed. He was a good man and will be missed by a lot of people.
Dolores, sympathies from the Jake and Eva Knudsen family. So sorry to hear of your loss. I miss those Cornilsen reunions as a way of keeping in touch with you. Take care Dolores.
Camp Courageous’ sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Gilbert. Along with being a personal supporter of Camp, for decades, Gilbert would bring much needed supplies from the Andover Lions to Camp, generally during an Open House & Breakfast. Gilbert and Dolores celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997, by giving their gifts to Camp. A wonderful person, who spent his life, giving back to better the lives of others… We will sure miss him…
To all Gibs family, my heartfelt sympathy. He and I joked around when he’d see me and he was such a likeable and kind man. He’ll be missed by many.
Patty
Our heartfelt condolences to you, Aunt Dolores, and to all of your family. He was such a wonderful patriarch in the family. He was the best uncle who stood beside me and held me up at the time of my Dad’s passing. If I stop and listen, I can still here the laughter as all of the adults played cards. Thank you for sharing him. Hugs to you and yours.