Margaret Diederich

Margaret K. Diederich, 92, of Marion, Illinois and formerly of Clearwater, Florida and Rockford, Illinois passed away Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 1:45 P.M. in Parkway Estates. Margaret was born on March 17, 1916 in South Chicago, Illinois to Louis and Antonia (Katiz) Tomasevich where she attended Bowen High School. She began her retail store career with Kresge Company in Chicago, Illinois where she met her true love, Clarence Diederich. On January 19, 1941 they were married. They later moved to Rockford, Illinois where they worked side by side to build a very fulfilling life and successful business together. They owned and operated numerous Ben Franklin variety stores for over 29 years in the Midwest. Both employees and customers alike developed a lasting relationship with the well known, Mr. and Mrs. D. Margaret was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Rockford, Illinois as well as St. Catherines Catholic Church in Clearwater, Florida. She was also a life long member and the last living member of a group of high school girlfriends known as The Just-Us-Girls. Margaret always had a positive attitude; only looking for and bringing out the good in people. Her kind words and good deeds were an inspiration to those around her. Her family was the center of her life and she would go to any length to make them happy. Margaret is survived by her son Richard (Darlene) Diederich of Marion, Illinois and her daughter Nancy (Tom) Sternad of Anaheim Hills, California. Margaret leaves behind four (4) grandchildren: Jeff (Margaret) Diederich; Dr. Ryan Diederich; Brett Sternad and Lauren Sternad. Also left behind are two (2) great granddaughters, Sarah and Paula Diederich; sisters-on-law Louise Burgholzer, Ruth Leenan, Roseann Nelson, Betty (Bill) Helm, Doris (Arlo) Klock, Rosemary Diederich and brother-in-law Robert Kuhn together with numerous nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clarence (1988), one sister, Helen Tomasevich and three (3) brothers Tony, George and Anton Tomasevich along with sisters-in-law Bernice Kuhn, Gertrude (Carl) Hanson and brothers-in-law Al Diederich, Ralph Burgholzer and Harold Leenan and Bob Nelson. The funeral mass will be Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 11 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion with Father Richard Mohr officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5:00 8:00 P.M. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois. For those who prefer memorials may be made to The Parkinson Research Foundation. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL 62959.