Robert Luis Dietsche, age 89, of Osceola, WI, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 9, 2018 after a long illness.

Robert was born on July 26, 1928 to Herman and Margaret Dietsche. He was raised on a farm near Sand Creek, Wisconsin. Robert attended Good Luck Grade School where he was the only student in his grade for eight years. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1946. He was baptized at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poplar Creek and confirmed by Rev. Iver Olson at Zion Lutheran Church in Sand Creek. He served in the National Guard 128 ^th Infantry Company D as a sergeant from 1948-1956.

Robert married Carol Bendiksen on November 24, 1950 and they made their home in in Sand Creek, WI. They have three children, Laurie Nash, Cary Dietsche and Christie Jacobsen. They have 10 grandchildren and soon to be seventeen great grandchildren.

Robert worked at the Farmers Store in Sand Creek and began repairing radios as a side business. He started Bob's Radio Service in 1948. His business expanded into Bob's Radio and TV Service where he had stores in Sand Creek, Bloomer and Chetek, Wisconsin. He obtained his pilot's license in 1970 and purchased his first airplane. He purchased National Air Photos in 1971 and enjoyed taking aerial photos.

In November of 1979, Bob and Carol left the comforts of a new home, family and friends to move to Osceola, Wisconsin where they served the Lord as the first directors of the Association Retreat Center. He served as the director of the ARC from 1979-1995. Bob loved the ministry of the ARC and continued to work there throughout his retirement. There they experienced God's faithfulness, help, strength and blessings! While living at the ARC, they attended Amery Free Lutheran Church where he served on the church board.

Both Bob and Carol accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior together as a couple in 1960. They then attended Faith Free Lutheran Church of Running Valley, rural Colfax, WI where he served on the church board, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and served in the Luther League.

He attended the organizational meeting of the Association Free Lutheran Congregations in 1962. He loved the AFLC and served on the Coordinating Committee, Home Missions Committee, Budget Analysis Committee, FLAPS Board and the Stewardship Committee. He also managed the AFLC Family camps in Alexandria and Lake Bronson, MN. Bob was also active in Gideons International at the Eau Claire and Menomonie West 300 Camps and served as a Wisconsin State Cabinet officer and New Member Chairman.

Bob was a devoted husband and father who lived a joyful life of service to his family, friends and his church. He loved music, sang in a men's quartet, and played a bass fiddle. Bob loved his Lord and Savior and eagerly shared the good news of the Gospel.

Robert Dietsche is survived by three children. Daughter, Laurie and husband Rev. Paul Nash (Brooklyn Park, MN); son, Cary Dietsche and wife Rosalie (Elk River, MN); daughter, Christie and husband Dennis Jacobsen (Minot, ND); ten grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, parents, Herman and Margaret Dietsche, brothers, Ronald and Roger Dietsche, and a precious granddaughter, Carly Dietsche.

Visitation will be Sunday night, June 17, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Williamson-White Funeral Home, Amery WI with a sharing service at 7:30 pm. A service celebrating Bob's life will be held Monday, June 18, 11:00 am at the Association Retreat Center, rural Osceola, WI, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Internment will be at 3:00 pm at Zion Cemetery, in Sand Creek, WI. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in his name to the Association Retreat Center, Amery Free Lutheran Church or AFLC Home Missions.