John Joseph Diekmann

John Joseph Diekmann, age 59, of Park Rapids, passed away July 4, 2019, at his home in rural Walker where, for the past year, he lived with his older brother Michael due to his illness.  John was surrounded by his nieces and nephews and other family members. 

John was born on January 18, 1960, to Lambert and Anna Marie (O’Sullivan) Diekmann.  At an early age, his mother Anna passed away in New York in 1971.  John moved to southern Minnesota with our father in the mid 70’s. He attended school in Fulda, before moving to Walker and living with his dad Lambert.    He also lived in Marshall, Minnesota for several years where he worked at Schwans Company and where he met his life-long friend Patty before moving to Walker.  He then worked for Lamb Weston RDO for 21 years before he contracted cancer. It was then that he moved to Walker to live out the rest of his life.

Recently this past year, John’s nieces, Stephanie and Melissa, took him on two trips, first to Florida where he had the chance to visit the Daytona 500 Race Track.  John loved NASCAR. He knew all the drivers and their car numbers.   A second trip was to Las Vegas with his niece Melissa. He enjoyed a wonderful time but said he he was glad to be home.

John was best known around the area as ROCK ‘N ROLL JOHNNY. It must have been because of his great love of music and his collection of guitars. John also loved animals. He had a special cat while living in Walker with Michael. He will always be remembered as a man who helped others and had many friends whom he stayed in contact with after the onset of his illness.

John will forever be missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Park Rapids American Legion on Saturday, August 3 from 3 to 7pm.  Burial will follow in southern Minnesota at a private cemetery in St. Killian next to his father Lambert Diekmann.

Without a doubt John was an Angel. God must have needed him for a special task. If you close your eyes and listen closely, you will hear him say “I love you and be careful.”

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