Obit: Diers, Norman R. (1939 - 2011)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Braunel, Diers, Guralski, Mueller, Murkowski, Plumb, Sarasin, Schreiner, Soczka, Van Dreel, Weiland, Witucki

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 5/10/2011

Diers, Norman R. (6 JUL 1939 - 8 MAY 2011)

Norman R. Diers, 71, Athens died May 8th, 2011, under the care of Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. The Very Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Friends may call Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

Norman was born July 6, 1939, the son of the late Leo and Henrietta (Van Dreel) Diers. On July 17, 1965 he married Barbara Guralski at Holy Family Catholic Church in Poniatowski, WI.

After graduating from Athens High School in 1957, Norman worked for Alton Zettler, Inc. as a heavy equipment operator. In 1962 he and his brother enlisted in the U. S. Army. When he returned he continued working for Alton, and then later took a job as a truck driver for E.J. Peter Trucking. In 1983 he accepted a job driving for Kolbe and Kolbe Millwork, retiring in 2007. Norman was especially proud of the fact that in his many years of driving truck he had logged over 3 million miles, which is equivalent to driving 120 times around the world.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara, Athens; three daughters, Wanda (Robert) Witucki, Mosinee; Cindy (Myron) Murkowski, Athens; and Melissa (Dale) Sarasin, Abingdon, VA.; six grandchildren: Tiffany (Craig) Braunel, Ben Witucki, Frank (Val Soczka) Murkowski, Joe Murkowski, Caleb Sarasin, and Cambrea Sarasin.

He is also survived by three sisters: Margaret Schreiner, Lorraine Weiland, and Virginia (Jack) Plumb; and one brother, Vernon (Sandra) Diers.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Jeanette Mueller, and two brothers; Sylvester and Elroy.

The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the doctors and staff who have treated dad during his numerous hospitalizations these past six months. A very special thank you is especially given to all the nurses, CAN’s, and staff of the Palliative Care Unit who not only gave exceptional care to dad during his lengthy stay, but made us to feel part of their family. Your compassion and true concern for our well-being will never be forgotten.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.