A Funeral Service for Fred J. Diedrichsen will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Reverend Kenton Birtell officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.
Fred J. Diedrichsen, 80 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, July 2 2024, at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege. Fred was born on March 22, 1944, in Scribner, Nebraska, the second of six children born to Elwin and Alice (Windhusen) Diedrichsen. Fred grew up on a dairy farm near Scribner, and attended Scribner Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1962. He then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, graduating with a degree in Zoology in 1966. He then graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska Medical College of Dentistry in 1970.
On August 7, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Delores Lhotak at the St. Peters Lutheran Church in Scribner and to this union, they were blessed with two children: Chris in 1970 and Amy in 1972. Fred served as assistant officer in charge of the family dental clinic and was a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corp from 1970-1972 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. In 1972, the family moved to Holdrege, where he was associated with Dr. Harry Hathaway’s dental practice. Fred thoroughly enjoyed his dental profession and the relationships built with his patients and their families.
He was a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, where he served on various boards and committees including: president of the congregation and chairman of the mission Leadership Council. He was also chairman of the Capital Campaign in 2003-2006 and sang in the church choir.
Fred was very community driven and active in many capacities including: Jaycees, Holdrege Rotary Club, Holdrege Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Prairie Players, PCDC Board, TeamMates Mentoring, volunteer at the Rowe Sanctuary, Holdrege School Board from 1987-1994, and served as the President of the Memorial Homes Board of Directors, from 1996-2005. He was a dedicated volunteer at the Nebraska Prairie Museum, where he helped establish and set up the model train display.
In addition, Fred was a past president of the Nebraska Dental Association, a member of the American, Nebraska, and Southwest District Dental Societies, member and past president of the Nebraska Society of Dentistry for Children, University of Nebraska Dental Alumni Board from 1988-1992, and University of Nebraska Dental College Dean’s Advisory Board from 1987-1990. He was a member of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and was elected to the Nebraska Dental Association Hall of Fame. Fred also spent several weeks doing volunteer dental work in the Dominican Republic and Belize.
Fred was an avid deer, duck and goose hunter and enjoyed gardening, woodworking, golfing, exercising at the YMCA, his camera club, model trains and following area sports. Most of all, Fred was very proud of his grandchildren. He followed their sports from their beginnings and became part of the “bleacher family”. He always had helpful advice and was their biggest encourager. Many memories were made at the cabin at Plum Creek including: boating, waterskiing, fishing, building a tree house, and many nights playing Pitch. Fred and Delores loved traveling to almost every state, including Alaska and Hawaii and enjoyed many trips to the East coast and Florida. They also enjoyed trips to England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and Mexico.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Elwin and Alice (Windhusen) Diedrichsen; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Raymond and Clara (Bloemker) Lhotak.
Fred leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, of 58 years, Delores Diedrichsen of Holdrege; their two children: Christopher Diedrichsen and his wife, Lisa of Holdrege; and Amy Lynn Schultze and her husband, Adam of Shawnee, Kansas; three grandchildren: Ethan Schultze, Tyler Schultze, and Anastasia Schultze; three sisters: Ruth Diedrichsen of Lincoln, Nebraska; Ann Jones of North Platte, Nebraska; and Beth Hansen and husband, Lee of Omaha, Nebraska; two brothers: John P. Diedrichsen and wife, Dail of Hooper, Nebraska; and Peter E. Diedrichsen and wife, Ruth of Columbus, Nebraska; along with many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
A visitation will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege.
A memorial has been established in Fred’s honor and kindly suggested to the Nebraska Prairie Museum or to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.