Calvin Henry Dietrich, 79, of Leigh, Nebraska, died Friday, December 16, 2022, as the result of an auto accident near Clarkson, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 4 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Leigh with Father Eric Olsen and Father Rodney Kneifl concelebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM with a vigil service at 7:00 PM, all at the church. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until service time, at the church. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors.

Calvin was born May 6th, 1943, on a farm by Schuyler, NE, to Ladislav and Alice (Gertsch) Dietrich. He was the 3rd oldest out of 12 children. He attended Schuyler school and graduated in May 1962. He attended Southeast Community College in Milford. He entered the Air Force in January 1963 and remained in active duty until his discharge in December 1966.

After discharging from the military, Calvin visited many places. He went to Thule, Greenland, France, and St. Louis. He brought back Eskimo souvenirs from Greenland.

He met Carolyn DeKeere in 1972 in Columbus, NE. Calvin and Carolyn were married January 25th, 1975 at St. Mary's Church in Leigh, NE. They lived on the family farm south of Leigh. To this union four children were born, Bryan, Scott, Alice, and John.

Calvin and Carolyn farmed and milked dairy cows from 1975 until 1991. In 1991, when they quit milking, Calvin went to work at IBP currently known as Tyson in Madison, NE. He retired from Tyson when he was 70. We celebrated his retirement and his 70th birthday with a party.

Calvin was very active in his children's and grandchildren's lives. Calvin and Carolyn attended many of their children's events. They were also parent sponsors for many events that gave them the opportunity to visit St. Louis, Denver, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Indianapolis. After their children married, they were blessed with grandchildren and attended many of their activities from music concerts, sporting events, to grandparents' mass. They attended as many activities as they could. It gave them great pride to watch their grandchildren. Also, Calvin enjoyed family bowling outings and playing cards.

Calvin was an active member of American Legion Sucha Post 302.

Calvin is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Leigh, NE; sons Bryan (Christy) of Columbus, NE, Scott (Cheryl) of Leigh, NE, John (Jenica) of Leigh, NE; and daughter Alice (Josh) Hunzeker of West Point, NE

Grandchildren Grant and Carter Dietrich; Hailey, Grace, and James Hunzeker; and Brayton, Logan, Brecklynn, and Jaxson Dietrich.

Siblings Lad (Carol) of Marysville, OH; Mary Janousek of Bee, NE; Richard Dietrich of David City, NE; Leroy Dietrich of Schuyler, NE; Roland Dietrich of David City, NE; Robert Dietrich of David City, NE; Virginia (Bob) Dunker of Schuyler, NE; Myron (Sara) Dietrich of David City, NE; Susan Wallingford of Schuyler, NE; and Karen (Danny) Blum of Schuyler, NE

Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survived by Calvin.

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, Ladislav and Alice Dietrich; parents-in-law Ed and Laurinda DeKeere; Sister and brother-in-law Janet and George Robertson; brother-in-laws Emil Janousek and Terry Wallingford; Carolyn's Uncle Norman Herink.

Memorials suggested to family choice.