Richard Dietrich, 75, of David City, died Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at his home near David City.
Funeral will be live streamed on Kracl Funeral Chapel Facebook Page
Funeral Service
Saturday, December 23, 2023 10:30 a.m. Kracl Funeral Chapel, David City Jerry L. Kracl officiating
Visitation Friday, December 22, 2023 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kracl Funeral Chapel in David City, visitation Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the chapel
Committal in David City Cemetery
Lunch at the Butler County Event Center following committal
Memorials to David City High School FFA
Richard was born at home near Schuyler, NE February 2,1948, the son of Ladislav (Lad) and Alice (Gertsch) Dietrich. While he was growing up, his family lived in both Butler and Colfax counties. He attended both East Butler and David City schools. Although he left school to work at 16, Richard completed his GED four years later at the University of Nebraska, Omaha campus.
Richard began his farming career working 12+-hour shifts at Higgins Alfalfa Mill in Schuyler and slowly built up his own custom hay business in 1974. He was well known for the large round bales he produced for area farmers thanks to his trusty Vermeer Classic round baler that had been invented in 1972.
This business transitioned into farming row crops in the 80’s which would not have been possible without several wonderful mentors who gave him a chance to farm their land. He cherished them dearly and tried to take care of their land as if it were his own. He was an extremely hard worker farming 1000+ acres mostly alone for many years. An adept problem solver with a keen sense for how things work, Richard could fix almost anything on the farm. He was more than willing to provide the same mentoring to his daughter, Kim, who came to help him farm ten years ago.
Richard loved animals, especially his British White cattle and many dogs, most recently his beloved white Labrador, Bowzer. Over the years, he enjoyed snowmobiling, stock car racing, hunting, bowling, playing cards of all sorts with family and friends as well a little gambling at “the boat”. Instead of showcasing fancy sets of dishes, his ‘china’ cabinet contained much cherished trophies from car racing and bowling. Not afraid of dirt and dust, Richard was a great admirer of the outdoors who loved a good bonfire while cooking steaks on his fire pit at home.
He is survived by his daughter, Kim Dietrich, of St. Petersburg, FL; brothers Lad (Carol) of Marysville Ohio; Leroy Dietrich of Octavia; Rolland Dietrich of David City; Robert Dietrich of David City; Myron (Sara) Dietrich of David City; sisters Mary Janousek of Bee; Virginia (Bob) Dunker of Schuyler; Susan Wallingford of Schuyler; and Karen (Danny) Blum of Schuyler; and sister-in-law Carolyn Dietrich.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, Janet and George Robertson, brother Calvin Dietrich and brothers-in-law, Emil Janousek and Terry Wallingford.
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