Aloysius "Al" Diekhans

Aloysius Al Joseph Diekhans, 74, of Great Falls, passed away at Peace Hospice on Saturday, August 13, 2016.Al was born in Fort Benton, Montana to Aloys and Helen Diekhans on April 29, 1942. While still young, he moved with his family to Illinois and back to Choteau and in 1948, when he was six, the family moved to and settled in Great Falls. Al attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and Central Catholic High School where he graduated in 1960. As a teenager, Al was an exceptional athlete playing baseball and was a member of the football, wrestling and track teams for Central High School. He was a little league pitcher and threw at least 1 no hitter. He was very proud to be chosen and to play in the 1960 East West Shrine Football Game. After High School, Al joined the Army and attended 6 months of basic Training at Fort Ord in California. He then returned to Great Falls and was in the reserves for four years.On July 6, 1962, Al married the love of his life, Cecilia Kuntz. They bought the farm out on the Bootlegger Trail from his father and lived the rest of their life at the farm. Al also worked for the Anaconda Company at the Smelter and at the Montana Feed Plant in the early years of their marriage. Al and Cecilia immediately started their family of seven children, 5 girls and 2 boys, and gave their children an exceptional life. Al was a role model for what a great father and man could be.Al belonged to the Elks, Knights of Columbus and was on the Parish Council of St. Lukes Parish in the early 1970s. He later joined Our Lady of Lourdes parish and was a devoted member of the congregation giving of his time and talents. Al was the Athletic Director for Our Lady of Lourdes School during the years his children attended and played for the Fighting Irish sports teams. He could be seen in the school kitchen on the afternoons of home games making popcorn and setting up for the games. He was always at the gym first and was the last to leave after making sure it was cleaned and in order.Al was an avid softball player and his children loved to watch him play left field out at the Baseball Complex until he was 50 years old. He had an incredible arm and threw many runners out at the plate. His children have great memories of watching his softball at the Great Falls complex, especially all the years of the annual Steinhaus Tournament. Al also loved to bowl and belonged to multiple bowling leagues over the years and went to many State bowling tournaments. He also enjoyed the horse races and was a proud owner of Franks Fee and Papas Bell in the 1970s. Al also enjoyed going to the Breeders Cup when it was held at Churchill Downs with his good lifelong friend, Elliot Teague.Al loved the Notre Dame fighting Irish and had a dream fulfilled when he attended a game at South Bend with his sons and sons-in-law. He was also a lifelong Cleveland Indians fan and celebrated their return to the World Series in 1995 and 1997, even though they lost. He also became a Seattle Mariners fan later in life. Al loved to watch the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team and was able to enjoy one last game in person at the Kennel with his son, Mike and daughter Theresa this last year.Al was an incredible father, a loving husband, a great brother and a loyal friend. His greatest pleasure was watching his children and grandchildren in their activities, especially when they played sports. He was always ready to help a stranger or a friend. He was the first person to help when something needed to be done. Al had a strong faith and devotion to God as demonstrated by the way he lived his life and he could be seen for years at weekday mass at Our Lady of Lourdes. He is known for always asking his children were you good to people today, Do your work with pride, treat others as you would like to be treated even though they sometimes dont, help those in need, and strive to always do what is right and good is advice that Al gave to one of his daughters and is how he lived his life every day.Al is survived by his children, Michelle (Greg) Stubbs, Angie Dowson, Steve (Cindy) Diekhans of Bothell Washington, Theresa Diekhans, Karen (Jim Zaremski), and Stacy (Casey) Kingsland; daughter-in-law Lisa Diekhans; grandchildren Nicole and Tori Dowson, Levi and Megan Stubbs, Justin and Miranda Diekhans, Kody, Katie, Nick and Caleb Diekhans and Ella Kingsland; brothers John (Natelie), Carl (Nadine), Leo (Karen) and Frank Diekhans; sisters Mary (Ernest) Bailly, Helen Bailly, Angela (Jim) Core, Bea Diekhans, Barbara Diekhans and Therese Diekhans; in-laws Don (Diane) Kuntz, Dick (Dorothy) Kuntz, Jerry (Cathy) Kuntz, Jim (Cindy) Kuntz, Karen (Corky) Grove, Debbie (Bud) Chamberlain and Patty (Vince) Kolar; a multitude of nieces and nephews; and many, many good friends.Al is preceded in death by his loving wife, Cecilia; son Michael; grandson Derek Dowson; son-in-law John Dowson; parents Aloys and Helen Diekhans; and father-in-law and mother-in-law Gabe and Ann Kuntz.Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Schnider Funeral Home. A vigil will be held at 7:00 on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. The funeral liturgy will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Donations to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Catholic School, 409 13th St. S. Great Falls, MT 59405.