Earl Herman Diersen, age 88, of Odebolt, died suddenly at his home on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 15th, at the United Methodist Church in Odebolt with Rev. DeeAnn Klapp officiating. Burial will be at the Odebolt Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, April 14th, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Odeoblt.

Earl was born on September 11, 1919, at home in Cook Township of Sac County, Iowa, to Herman and Dorothy (Alderson) Diersen. He attended rural school, just west of his home, through the eighth grade. He farmed with his parents until 1941.

Earl was united in marriage on September 6, 1940, to Elsa Anderson. To this union four children were born: Janet, Alice, Eugene and Don. They farmed by Schaller for three years, and then purchased their farm south of Odebolt, where they continued to reside.

Earl was a grain and livestock farmer, and a good steward of the land. He was one of the first in the area to start contour planting his hills.

Earl was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. In his retired years, he loved his yard work, gardening, and playing cards with friends and family. He spent a lot of time at his loom, weaving rugs for many people.

Earl was a member of the United Methodist Church in Odebolt. He and Elsa were members of the Friendly Farmers Pinochle Card Club for many years, until it disbanded.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Elsa; daughters Janet (friend Jim Pemble) Christiansen, Fonda; Alice (Jerrold) Jimmerson, Manson; sons Eugene (Sheryl), Odebolt; and Don (friend Kathy Pope), Kiron; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brother Kenneth (Marie) Diersen, Schaller; sister-in-law Loretta Anderson, Kiron; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lake and Irene Olson, Odebolt; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin sisters; son-in-law Richard Christiansen; and brother-in-law Roscoe Anderson.