Alma L. Diefenthaler

Alma L. Diefenthaler, age 85, was called home to the Lord on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, from the Genoa Retirement Village surrounded by family members. She was born November 12, 1923, to George and Mary Becker Schumaker. She married Donald C. Diefenthaler on October 24, 1942, before he enlisted in the Army and was sent overseas during World War II. Her faith kept her strong during Dons service including the 18 months he was a POW. Don and Alma celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary last October. Alma was a 1941 graduate of Clay High School, where she played clarinet in the band and saxophone in the Freddi Coakers Orchestra and All Girls Band. She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church Blackberry since 1955, where she was a member of the choir, a Sunday School teacher, Luther League advisor and member of the Sarah Circle. She also served as the church secretary for eight years. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Oak Harbor. Alma and her family attended the Lutheran Chautauqua week at Lakeside for over 40 years making her last full-week trip there in 2006. These fun weeks were always shared with her sister-in-law, Anabel. Don and Alma worked side by side on their family farm on Route 2 for many years. Upon retirement they moved to a home outside Rocky Ridge and then to the Genoa Retirement Village last July. During retirement they enjoyed many trips to Branson. Alma was an excellent cook with two of her specialties being cheesecake and lebkuchen cookies. She attended many, many school events for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Alma is survived by son, Lyle Sandra and Alan Kim; daughters, Joyce Rich Thorbahn, Nancy Rich Ferne and Debbie Keith Green; grandchildren, Keith Jennifer Thorbahn, Kim Jack Harris, Jon Melanie Thorbahn, Mark Merridith Ferne, Sara Trent Thompson, Adam Alison Ferne, Katie Noah Myerholtz, Jennifer Green, Angela, Alyssa and Kayla Diefenthaler; great grandchildren, Billy, Nick, Jillian, JJ, LeAnn, Matt, Logan, Alexis, Josh, Carly, Erica, Paige, Grace and Tessa; brother, Norman Schumaker; sisters, Clara Kreger, Elaine Bill Venable and Marilyn Sawyer; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Schumaker, Viola Nelson, Helen Diefenthaler, Mildred Diefenthaler, Shirley Diefenthaler and Anabel Diefenthaler. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Herbert and Roland Schumaker, and sister, Ethel Turnow. Visitation will be 2-9 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2009, in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, Genoa. The funeral service will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009, in St. Peter Lutheran Church, Martin, with an hour of visitation prior from 1-2 p.m. Interment will take place in Elliston Cemetery, Graytown. The family has requested memorials for Alma to St. Peter Lutheran Church or Rocky Ridge Fire Dept.