Earl Dean Diepenbrock

   Earl Dean Diepenbrock, 94, formerly of Alma, KS, passed away peacefully on March 31^st, 2023, at Jane Phillips Hospital in Bartlesville, OK surrounded by his family.

   Earl was born on June 29, 1928, in Alma, KS to Gustav “Gus” and Lydia (Mehl) Diepenbrock.  He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma where he remained an active member, serving as an elder.

   He attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Alma High School in 1946.  He attended Kansas State University.

   On October 23, 1949, he married Naomi Irene Zeckser at St. John Lutheran Church. 

   Earl was a successful farmer and rancher at their farm southwest of Alma.  He worked at the Alma Co-Op, installing appliances and as a mechanic in the garage.  He drove a school bus for USD-329 and the senior citizen’s bus.  Earl and Naomi retired to Topeka in 2004.  Naomi passed away in 2008.

   Earl moved to Owasso, OK in 2016 to be nearer his children Jerry and Diane.

   Survivors include a son, Jerald L. “Jerry” Diepenbrock, Owasso, OK, daughter Diane J. (John) Rinkenbaugh, Collinsville, OK, Grandchildren J. Ryan (Dani) Diepenbrock, Austin, TX, David L. (Kristen) Diepenbrock, Chicago, IL, Joshua A. Rinkenbaugh, Fayetteville, AR, Anna M. (Fredrick) Ramirez, Eudora, KS, Michael J. (Elizabeth) Rinkenbaugh, Wichita, KS, Matthew D. (Michelle) Rinkenbaugh, Goshen, IN, and Sarah E. (Zack) Scott, Coffeyville, KS, and 10 great-grandchildren, his sister Nyla Gehrt, Wamego, KS, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

   Earl was preceded in death by his parents Gus and Lydia Diepenbrock and wife Naomi.

   The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday April 6, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Alma, KS, officiated by Reverend Bob Grimm, with interment directly following at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Alma, KS.  The family will receive guests before the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

   Pallbearers will be Ryan Diepenbrock, David Diepenbrock, Josh Rinkenbaugh, Fred Ramirez, Mike Rinkenbaugh and Matt Rinkenbaugh.

   Memorial contributions can be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Alma, KS, and may be sent in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.