Lila Laverna “Peaches” (Bickel) Diebold, a daughter of Edwin and Rose (Roths) Bickel, was born September 1, 1926 in the rural Willow City farm home of her parents.  She died peacefully on Friday, May 13, 2016 in her Willow City farm home at the age of 89 years.

Lila was raised in the rural home of her parents and attended a country school near her home.  She completed her education at Willow City High School, graduating the class of 1944. On June 22, 1944, she married Glen Diebold, the son of Edwin and Lena (Sorteberg) Diebold.  They farmed and ranched in Wellington Township their entire lives together.  Glen died April 29, 1982 and Peaches lived out the rest of her life on the farm and in the home she so dearly loved.   

Peaches was born for the role of Wife, Mom and Grandma.  Doing for her 6 children, her 13 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren, gave her the greatest joy.  Her family and the farm was her life; her greatest reason for getting up and about each morning.  Until she was in her mid-80’s, she was still making her delicious homemade bread--about 10 or so loaves at one time-- and caring for her lawn.  It was not unusual for her to ruin a rake a year.  She loved the outdoors and animals, especially her house cat, Tinky.  She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Willow City, where she played in the chime choir until its closing. 

Peaches is survived by her children, Wayne (Marylyn), Willow City, Bruce (Barbara) Willow City, Bryon (Kathy) Willow City, Bonnie (Tom) Halls Rugby, Jeffrey (Tammy) Willow City, and Lori Ann (Gary) DeMers Rugby; her grandchildren include, Wayde (Jacqueline), Melissa (Bill), Lance, Chad, Jessica, Cole, Sarah, Beth, Kaylee, Braden, Chase, Taylor, and Karson; great grandchildren are Cody, Dylan, Joshua, Jayden, Noah, Chloe, Parker, Austin and Hailey.  She is also survived by brothers, Gary, Curtis, Dwayne, Lyle and Gene Bickel; two sisters, Fern Anderson and Eulalia (Alfred) Bareksten.  She was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Jack Bickel; sister, Marjorie Harlan; and her parents.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 17^th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Rugby with a 1:30 p.m. burial in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Willow City.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby and will continue on Tuesday for one hour prior to the time of services at the church.