Verda Diel

Kiowa-Verda May Spicer Diel was born on a farm three miles north of Hazelton, Kansas on December 4, 1917 and passed from this life on May 14, 2015 in Kiowa. Her parents were Clyde (J. C. L.) and Ella Reynolds Spicer. Verda loved her childhood days on the farm with three brothers, Jimmy, Harold and Donnie and two sisters, Margaret and Lavone. Verda attended seven years in Maple Grove Rural School. She attended the 8th grade and high school in Hazelton, graduating in 1935. She attended Alva and Pittsburg Teacher's Colleges. She taught five years in Barber and Harper County rural schools. Her first year, she taught Sunny Side Rural School in western Barber County in the gyp hills. She rode 'Ole Bess' to cross the hills to school. She loved this as she loved riding horses most of her life. She married David "Bud" Diel on July 20, 1941 in her parents' farm home. They lived on an Oklahoma farm fifty years in Alfalfa County. They then moved to Kiowa in 1990. Bud passed away in 1991. They celebrated their 25th anniversary with Verda's brother, Don and Bud's sister, Rosa, having married in 1941 also. They had one daughter, Marla Clydine. She passed away in 1958 at the age of twelve years, having Cystic Fibrosis. The late Paul Diel, Bud's brother, made his home with them after their mother passed away when Paul was 10. Paul passed away in 1989. Their home was opened to many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Verda was baptized in the Hazelton Baptist Church at an early age. Then, together with Bud, Verda and Marla joined the Congregational Church in 1946. She was a member of Pilgrim Daughters, O.E.S., Delpha Club, Sew and So Club, Historical Society, General Store, and the Cowboy Story Teller's Club of Barber County. Verda loved children and taught classes in the Congregational Church.

Those who preceded her in death include her husband, Bud; her parents, Clyde and Ella; daughter, Marla Clydine; two sisters, Margaret Kollins and Lavone Bredehoft; brothers, Jimmy, Harold, Donnie and Paul.

Those who survive Verda are sister-in-law, Mary Landis Diel; many nephews, nieces and friends.

Funeral service for Verda will be Monday, May 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Kiowa Congregational Church with Pastor Bud Ruggia officiating. Burial will be at the Apostolic Cemetery near Burlington. Viewing will be Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to Congregational Church, South Barber Scholarship Fund or Kiowa Historical Museum through the funeral home.