Gene Diekhoff, 61, 'the family prankster', the no BS man, the fireworks connoisseur, the animal lover and the story teller died Friday, July 15th at his home.  Gene loved chicken fried steak, Miller Lite, NASCAR, camping on the Colorado River, getting a rise out of people, spending time in his home town of Wessington, South Dakota; sharing laughs with friends and hanging out in his 'man cave'.  He had great distain for bureaucrats, political correctness, those with no sense of humor, and snobbiness - not necessarily in that order.

Gene Alan was born June 1, 1955 to Clifford and Shirley Diekhoff. Most of his youth was spent on the family farm northwest of Wessington.  He joined his older 'sis Penny with whom he shared many childhood stories.  Perhaps the best of which was when pre-school age Gene fell out of the car as they were traveling down Highway 14 after a family trip to Huron.  You can imagine the panic in the car as Cliff slammed on the breaks and everyone piled out, relieved to find the only noticeable damage was to the hood of Gene's matching stripped jacket that he and Penny each had. They say there was no damage, but at times one might wonder if that is where Gene's warped sense of humor emerged.

Gene excelled in academics during his high school days at WHS.  He had a knack for acting and loved taking in part in oral interp and plays. He was awarded best supporting actor during State Competition.  Gene and his life-long friend Mike Cox often spent time plotting who would get the spot-light at the end of each production.

After graduating from high school, Gene enlisted in the Navy where he served 6 years on the USS Fox earning the rank of Machinist Mate First Class.  Gene loved the time he spent on the Fox, and the many countries and cultures he was exposed to during his time served.  Gene opted not to re-enlist in the Navy and went to work for Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Co. in Seattle for 5 years and then relocated to California in 1985 and went to work for Dresser-Rand with whom he was employed for over 30 years.

Gene worked many long hours, enjoyed his co-workers and was committed to doing quality work.  Those traits allowed him to advance to the role of supervisor.  Gene (as well as his family) will forever be grateful to Dresser-Rand for the respect and support shown to him by the company and his work family throughout his battle with cancer.

While working in California, Gene met his soulmate and love of his life, Charlotte and they were married at his home town of Wessington, South Dakota on November 4, 1995.  They made their home in National City, CA a suburb of San Diego.  Over the years they enjoyed gardening, watching NASCAR and spoiling their four-legged fur babies.  It was obviously true love as Char was not only allowed in the 'man cave,' but could cheer out loud for someone other than Dale Junior.

Gene was an intelligent, mechanically gifted, no-nonsense kind of guy who was a bit of a kid at heart.  For many years, Gene would spend countless hours setting up a spook house for the neighborhood kids.  A self-proclaimed Grinch, Gene really had a soft spot as big as Texas for those he loved and for any stray cat who came upon work or the neighborhood.

Throughout his life Gene touched the hearts of many people, but none more than the hearts of his family.  When Gene passed away he left behind his wife Char and her daughter Richelle Sparapani & husband Ernie, her son Todd Sparapani & wife Lisa, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  Gene also left his sister Penny Woodruff & husband Byron; his sister Peg Diekhoff & the ole' biddy Pat Ann, and his brother Kirk Diekhoff & wife Vicki.  Gene relished the time he could spend with his nieces & nephews Terri (Michael) Roth,  Shane (Jan) Woodruff, Laurel "LC" Diekhoff and Aaron Diekhoff, as well as his great  nieces and nephews Brendan, Brexton & Breanna Roth and Kylie & Kasey Woodruff.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Shirley (McNeil) Diekhoff; his paternal grandparents Frank and Blanche Diekhoff; his maternal grandparents Roy and Marge McNeil; as well as many other family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Glen Abbey Memorial in Bonita, CA Friday July 29, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm  for Gene's friends and co-workers.

After that service, Gene will return to South Dakota for family visitation on Friday, August 12, 2016 from 5 to 7pm with a prayer service at 6:30 at First Presbyterian Church in Wessington, followed by a small fireworks display (weather permitting) will also light up the night sky in Gene's honor - a fitting tribute for the family tradition that he & Char began. Memorial Service on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 2pm, also at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in the Wessington Cemetery with Military Rites by Watson-Krauter American Legion Post #110 of Wessington.