Lowell William Dietz

Lowell William Dietz. June 07, 1921 - July 04, 2020

Lowell Dietz, or Bud as he was known to everyone, was born and raised on the Dietz
Centennial Farm near Harmon, IL to William and Ethel Dietz. He was one of five
children, Leota, Wilma, Mick and Jack. He married Arlene VonHolten and moved to
Tampico, Il. After discharge from the Army, he moved to a farm in Deere Grove, Il and
stayed there until 1960 when he moved his family to a farm in Lanark, Il.

Bud spent 99 years on this earth. It is fitting that as a WWII veteran, he passed from
this world to the next on the 4th of July. To quote a dear old friend “He always was a
“firecracker.” He was the oldest living WWII veteran in Carroll County. One of my
favorite quotes of his was “I was just fine until I turned 95!” His last two years were
spent wondering why he was still here since he outlived all of his friends and his dear
wife, Arlene, of 75 years. Shortly after her passing in March of 2018, he left his home in
rural Lanark and moved to Oakley Courts Assisted Living in Freeport. He enjoyed living
there and was doing well until March of this year when imposed lockdown was
implemented due to Covid. Within two months of isolation from his family and friends,
his health spiraled downward until he required more intensive care and had to move to
a nursing home. After being in the nursing home one month, he passed suddenly and
peacefully. He told me that of all of the things he lived through in his many years, the
isolation of Covid was the worst. He was a very social man with a witty sense of humor
and thrived on being with others. Their home was always a flurry of activity and all were
welcomed with open arms who dropped in to see them. He enjoyed adventure and
exploring new areas. Whoever happened to travel with him was never sure where they
were being taken as he always had his special back road routes he loved to explore.
Bud did many things in his long life. As well as a WWII veteran who served in France,
Germany and Belgium, he was a farmer, owned his own trucking company, worked for
Freeport Vault company and other various small jobs. He was a hard worker and
instilled his work ethics in all twelve of his children. At one time, he worked 2 jobs to
provide for his family. He balanced his work with a healthy dose of fun and recreation.
He told us fun stories and told us some rather questionably appropriate jokes at times.
He played high pop ball with us. He owned horses which we rode together often. He
loved bowling and was on bowling leagues in Mt. Carroll for many years. When he
could no longer hold a bowling ball, he bowled on the Nintendo WII. He pitched
horseshoe well into his late 80’s and pitched in tournaments across the region winning
many of them. He had a pool table in the basement of his home that was used by his
sons, daughters, spouses, grandchildren and numerous friends. Every Saturday
morning was a meeting place for family. He loved playing cards with not only family but
many of his dear friends. He maintained his lawns and gardens himself meticulously
until he moved to assisted living two years ago. He is at peace now and reunited with
Arlene.

There will be no funeral or visitation as he donated his body to science.

He is survived by his twelve children, Carol Dietz, Lanark; Nancy (Steve) Shellhause,
Lanark; Jane (Michael) Mullins, Rockford; Bill (Deb) Dietz, Lena: Larry (Julie) Dietz,
Freeport; Ed (Pat) Dietz, Greenleaf, Wi; Bob (Nancy) Dietz, Prophetstown; Rick (Sandy)
Dietz, Ava, Mo.; Connie (Bob) Zuck, Lanark; Linda (Monte) Ballard, Leaf River; Don
(Vonnie) Dietz, Lanark; Anita (Bill) Pinnow, Freeport: 33 grandchildren (2 of whom are
deceased), 54 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. He also leaves
behind his beloved brother, Jack (Gloria) Dietz.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.