The funeral for Martha M. Diede, Lehr, ND will be Friday, July 2, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Seventh Day Adventist Church at Lehr, ND. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Wishek, ND. Burial will be at the Lehr City Cemetery, Lehr, ND.


Martha Schlauch, daughter of Jacob and Christina (Schrum) Schlauch was born January 18, 1914 at rural Alfred, ND. She grew up and attended rural country school and at a very young age was hired out as a maid and children's caregiver. Born into a large family of 17 siblings, there was always work. Martha married Jacob Diede November 27, 1933 at Hazen, ND. They lived at Alfred, ND for a few years then moved to a farm 18 miles south of Kulm, ND. To this union two daughters were born, Lucille and Luella. Martha was a member of the Lehr SDA Church and faithfully attended until stricken by ill health. Martha loved to garden, enjoyed her flowers and made wonderful Kuchen. She babysat many local children and also worked in the Grenz Store for several years.


Martha died Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, ND. She was 96 years old.

Martha is survived by her two daughters, Lucille (Gene) Rexine, Lehr, ND and Luella (Joe) Vakoch, Fargo, ND; six grandchildren, Kristi Entzi, Tammy Meidinger, Gerald Ruff, Jackie Klipfel, Sherry Ganser and Lisa Lee; thirteen great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; one step grandson, Tim Meidinger; four sisters, Johanna Fey and Esther Hildebrand, Ashley, ND; Hulda Gruenich, Aberdeen, SD and Ella Davis, Sacramento, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob, parents, one son-in-law, Elroy Ruff, one great-granddaughter, Hannah Ruff, three sisters and nine brothers. Visit www.dahlstromfuneralservice.com to sign her guestbook and share memories. Dahlstrom Funeral Home of Wishek, ND entrusted with arrangements.