Aleen Dirschel

Aleen Dirschel, 88, went home to be with the Lord on February 28, 2024. She was many things to many people. To her family she was our matriarch. But she was also a teacher, counselor, loyal friend, writer and cook.
Aleen was born in Minnesota but grew up just about everywhere. She sang in the school choir and played French horn in the school band, Graduated from Stout at the top of her class. She worked as a teacher, was a recipe tester for Betty Crocker, and published a cookbook. After the kids were out of the house, she went back to school to become a certified nutritionist and worked for WIC.
Her passion for cooking and entertaining was obvious in the dinners and parties she hosted, sometimes entertaining for over 100. She would beam, watching guests fill every corner of the house and mingle, not wanting to leave. Just about everyone who knew her has been on the receiving end of a big pot of chicken soup when they were sick. And she loved knocking on your door with a plate of cookies, just because.
Aleen loved to travel. Their escapades have taken them all over the world, including all 50 states and 3 continents. Family trips with the kids included New England, west coast national parks, amusement parks, and most recently a Viking river cruise in France.
But her number one priority was always her faith and family. She was one with our Lord, never wavering even in the worse health crisis, and knew where her eternal glory will be. Her devotion to her husband and family was evident in everything she did, always putting them first. She will be greatly missed.
We should have talked more, sent more cards and notes. But we all learned from your teachings in everything you did. Go rest high on that mountain, your work on earth is done.
Aleen is survived by her husband of over 66 years Rich, her son Brad (Nancy) Dirschel, daughter Diane (John) Ryberg, brother Chuck (Ann) Shinabarger, 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial service will be held at Hope Church, 11893 John F Kennedy Road-Dubuque, on March 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach, FL Music Department or The Finley Hospital in Dubuque, IA.