Chris Dietz

RUPERT - Chris A. Dietz, age 84, a longtime resident of Rupert, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 12, 2013.

He was born Aug. 18, 1928, in Zeeland, North Dakota. He was the son of Dorthea and Christian Dietz. They moved to Idaho when Chris was 9-years-old where his father was killed in a car accident a year later and he grew up taking care of his mother throughout his lifetime. He met Norma Temple at the roller skating rink starting their 64 years together as they were married on Aug. 28, 1949, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Rupert. They lived in Rupert their entire lives.

Chris worked for various farmers and then started his lifelong career of more than 30 years at Amcor as a sales manager where he retired. He traveled many miles and met many different people both through his job and through following all sports that was a passion of his for 70 years. We believe there is not another person who went to more games whether it was basketball, baseball, or football at Minico, little league games, fast pitch softball for 15 years and as a season ticket holder at CSI following them to two National Championships.

The following year after Norma and Chris were married their daughter, Laura, was born in 1950 and she was his pride and joy. Their first son, Darrell, followed two years later and their family was completed by Ron coming five years later. He enjoyed spending time with his family traveling, camping, hunting, fishing, and most of all watching them in their athletic pursuits at ball games. He will be missed, but never forgotten, and will be remembered in our thoughts and actions throughout our lives.

Chris is survived by his wife, Norma; daughter, Laura (Robert) Workman of Ft. Mohave, Arizona; two sons, Darrell (Laura) Dietz of Idaho Falls, and Ron (Denise) Dietz of Paul. Many highlights of his life were lived through his grandchildren: Laura’s children, Patrick Workman of Austin, Texas, and Matthew Workman of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Darrell’s children, Cory (Bethany) Dietz of Idaho Falls, Crystal (Trevor) Butterworth of Idaho Falls, Austin Dietz of Boise, Jake (Cori) Buck of Nampa, and Sherry (Jason) Littleford of Idaho Falls; and Ron’s children, Jason Dietz of Salt Lake, Utah, Tyson (Pamela) Dietz of Boise, and Zane (Kelsey) Dietz of Twin Falls. Because of these unions there are eight great-grandchildren and a set of twins on their way in December who have provided many hours of enjoyment. He was preceded in death by three brothers and is survived by his brother Jake (Julie) Dietz of Oak Harbor, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where friends and family may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Paul Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations can be made to the Minico High School Athletic Program in care of Rasmussen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 878, Burley, ID 83318, as he enjoyed and spent so many hours watching sports there throughout his life.