Barbara Joan (Olson) Diedrich, 94, passed away peacefully on Feb. 24, 2026.
Barb was born on Sept. 22, 1931, at Brookings Wesleyan Hospital, the second child of Arnold and Eva Olson. After the loss of her mother at just two and a half years old, Barb was raised by her father and devoted stepmother, Herta. She spent her early school years attending one-room country schools. She attended White High School and graduated from Brookings High School in 1950.
As a young woman, Barb enjoyed roller skating and developed lifelong passions for dancing and golf. She began her professional life as a bookkeeper for the S&L Company and Brookings International Life and Casualty.
On Nov. 25, 1953, Barb married Martin Diedrich. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and hard work, raising five children—Daniel, Larry (Lori), Thomas (Ida), David (Sandra), and Coni (Rick) Aguirre—on the family farm. Barb took great pride in knowing the farm remains in the hands of future generations.
Barb golfed at the Brookings Country Club for many years. A golfing vacation in the late 1970s brought them to Brownsville, Texas. Captivated by the warm weather, they became “Winter Texans,” bringing along their youngest child for the adventure.
In 1987 Barb became a Realtor, earning numerous awards and the loyalty of her clients, many of whom returned to her time and again.
Barb’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. While her children were school-aged, she taught catechism at all their churches. Later she served as Church Usher, Eucharistic Minister, and money counter. She was also active in various support groups, always offering encouragement and strength to others.
A gifted seamstress, Barb purchased her first Singer sewing machine shortly after graduating high school. In retirement she embraced machine embroidery, blessing many with her beautiful, handcrafted gifts. Everything she created carried her signature touch and personality.
Barb will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family will forever cherish her advice, strong faith, joyful laughter, loyalty, and love of parties and dancing.
She is survived by her five children, eighteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, and her siblings, Omar (+Lynne) Olson, Justine (+Jerry) Christensen, and Darrell (Rita) Olson.
She was preceded in death by her brothers Richard, Roger, and Dean Olson, and her sister Dorothy Markus.
Burial will take place in August at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings, South Dakota.
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