William "Will, Bill" Walter Dieleman

William Walter Dieleman died at his home in Douglas on September 7, 1959. He was born January 2, 1884 near Prairie View, Kansas, the eldest of eight children of John and Mary Dieleman. He grew to manhood in that community and in 1906 was united in marriage with Dillie Kipp, also of Prairie View. For several years they were actively engaged in farming near Fairview. In the spring of 1910 the lure of the West and the homesteads called. With true pioneer spirit they homesteaded southeast of Lost Springs, Wyoming. To this union five children were born, four sons and one daughter. However, this bright picture was marred, for in the fall of 1917 the plague of diptheria entered their home and their eldest sons, twins, aged ten and one-half were called away; and one month later their beloved mother and wife joined them.

William, or Bill, as everyone knew him, then went to work at the carpenter trade at Manville, Wyoming. His homestead was still his desire and in the fall of 1918 he moved back to his ranch where he could keep his remaining children with him.

In the spring of 1920 he was married to Mary E. Thompson at Keeline, Wyo. He remained active in ranching and farming until the fall of 1938. At this time he retired and moved to Douglas. His wife, Mary, passed away in 1950.

In 1952 he married Alice M. Parkin, who was his steadfast companion until his death. He leaves to mourn his passing, besides his wife, Alice; two sons, Dan of Lost Springs and Jack of Wheatland; one daughter, Mrs. Glenn E. Bright of Shawnee; one step-son, Edward G. Parkin of the U.S. Air Force; 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; four sisters, Nellie Navis of Chester, Neb.; Laura Welch of Ranier, Ore.; Katie Orender of Reno, Nev. and Emma Halbert, Norton, Kan.; and his remaining brother, Henry, of Shoshoni, Wyo.

(Information was obtained from his obituary in the Douglas Budget Sept. 10, 1959 by Betty Alberts, findagrave Member #47293729.)

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