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Eula Mae Dieterich, 99, of Newton died on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 14, 2024, at the First Christian Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorials to the First Christian Church, Alzheimers Association, or Wesley Life Hospice may be left at the church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.
Eula, the daughter of Arie and Elta (Rohrdanz) DePenning, was born on December 27, 1924 at her family’s home in rural Galesburg. She grew up and attended rural school in the Galesburg area before moving with three other girls to Newton to finish her education. Eula graduated from Newton High School in 1944. On November 24, 1945, Eula was united in marriage with Robert Olson at the First Christian Church in Galesburg. Eula worked at United Telephone until her daughter, Linda, was born. She was an active mother being a homeroom mother, a member of the PTA, and a Bluebird and Campfire leader. When Linda was a little older, Eula returned to the telephone company, retiring in 1984. In 1976, Robert passed away. On January 23, 1978, Eula married Kenneth D. Dieterich at Eula’s parents’ home in Galesburg. Eula was a wonderful cook and made the best fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy. Eula was a member of the Policeman’s Wives Association and a Gray Ladies volunteer at the VA Hospital in Knoxville. Her home and family were very important to her.
Eula is survived by her daughter, Linda Boyd of Urbandale; step-daughter, Karen Higgens of Wyoming; granddaughter, Jennifer (Cory) Denner of Marion; her great-granddaughter, Kate Denner; sister, Marjorie Benton of Newton; and four nephews and their families, Carroll (Julie) Brodersen of Newton, Dave (Debbie) Benton of Wisconsin, Dean (Cindy) Benton of Minnesota, and Don (Lingling) Benton of China. She was preceded in death by her parents; 1st husband, Robert; 2nd husband, Kenneth in 1999; step-son, Graig Dieterich; sister, Lola Brodersen; nephew, Bob Brodersen; and a special friend, Don Lane.