Vona Lee Diehl

Vona Lee Diehl, 86, passed away peacefully at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kansas on Saturday, February 8, 2025. She had loved ones with her in her final days.

Vona was born on the family farm east of Alta Vista, Kansas on April 10, 1938, to Paul and Anna Pearl Grensing, and continued to live in her hometown through most of her life. She was educated in the one room North Pole school house through her primary years, and told stories of often riding a horse to and from school. She graduated from Alta Vista High School in 1956. She fell in love and married George Diehl, Jr of Alma, Kansas on October 26, 1956, in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, Kansas. Vona remained an active member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church through her life and witnessed her children’s baptisms and marriages as well as her grandchildren’s baptisms in her church home.

Vona was a dedicated health care provider throughout her professional career and continued to work full-time until the age of 80. She was employed in long-term care facilities in Alma and Eskridge, Kansas most of her career, and provided home health care support in the region for several years. Vona loved helping others and received joy and fulfillment from her years of service.

Vona suffered a stroke in November of 2023, and required nursing care until her death. Family was blessed to find placement for Vona at Heritage Home in Alma, Kansas, and are forever grateful for the dedication and love the care team provided.

Vona loved Sunday drives and travels with her husband George, and they both shared a passion for horse racing. Vona and George also enjoyed Saturday night dances and picnics on the creek. Vona was an excellent cook, and her specialties were preparing wild game and making homemade pies. Vona’s greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Vona is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Roland Grensing and Norma Zimmerman Shepard, and her husband George who passed away on December 31, 2018. She is survived by two sons, Terry Diehl (Diann) of Alta Vista, Kansas, and Mark Diehl (Stephanie) of Junction City, Kansas. Her surviving grandchildren include Kelsey Smith of Alta Vista, Kansas, Ty Diehl (Taylor) of Wamego, Kansas, Courtney Ross (Troy) of Manhattan, Kansas, and Taylor Diehl (Kirstin) of Kansas City, Kansas. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Cooper, Kieran and Dane Smith, Max, Finn and George Diehl, and Hayden Ross, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 1st, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Alta Vista, Kansas at 11:00 am. Family will connect with friends at the church following the service. A private burial will be conducted following the service. Memorial contributions are encouraged in her honor to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Alta Vista, Kansas or to Heritage Home, Alma, Kansas.

Vona will be remembered for her sense of humor, feistiness, strength and love of family and friends.