Irene E. Dietz

Irene Dietz, daughter of Fred and Katie Bender, was born March 25, 1927, in WaKeeney, KS. She passed away February 14, 2025, at the Belleville Health Care Center in Belleville, KS. She married Harold Dietz on August 8, 1945, and had four children. Most of their life together was in Kansas with homes in Oakley, Hays, and Manhattan. Irene retired from Farm Bureau Insurance in Manhattan after twenty-one years. She continued working into her eighties at places including the Travel Information Center in Belleville and YMCA of the Rockies. She loved sports, cooking, and always had sewing or crocheting projects. After Harold passed in 1987, she completed visiting all 50 states plus trips to Europe and Asia. Her greatest loves were her God and family. Irene is survived by son Charlie (Julie), daughters Sharon and Jill (Mick Stephens), five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, two sisters, and two sister-in-laws. She was preceded in death by her daughter Peggy, her husband, parents, and three brothers.

In celebration of a long and well lived life, memorial services will be Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 2:00 pm at WaKeeney (Kansas) City Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the North Central Kansas Downs Syndrome Society or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, and may be mailed to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home of Belleville, Kansas, is assisting the Dietz family with arrangements.