Dorothy Arlene Diekmann Laposky, better known as Dee, was born January 27, 1940 at the old Gregory Hospital in Gregory, SD to Henry and Blanche (Steffen) Diekmann. She passed away on November 26, 2014 at 74 years.

The family lived on a farm south of Gregory where she attended country school all her elementary years. The family then moved to a farm by Gregory where she attended public school graduating from Gregory High School in 1958. Dee went on to further her education at Huron College majoring in education. She taught for the next 45 years throughout the United States and Europe. One of her areas of instruction included her role as a principal in Catholic Schools in St. Louis, MO.

Dee married Robert Laposky in December of 1965 in Gregory, SD. To this union three children were born: Chad Robert, Clay Jason, and Mark Edward. When Dee and Bert were married they lived all over the US and Germany due to the Army. Dee made St. Louis, MO. her home until her retirement in 2008 when she moved to Burke, SD. Her love for helping on the farm, being a helping companion to any of her siblings, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, and having the opportunity to travel with her family were the utmost reasons for her retirement and returning home. She always said, "I came home to help."

Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Blanche, her oldest brother Donald, and niece Cheryl Rutten. She is survived by her sons: Chad of Las Vegas, NV, and children Mia, Austin, and Zane; Clay of St. Louis, MO, and Mark (Ashley) and children Brooklyn and Blair of Burke, SD; a daughter-in-law Lynn Fifield of Seattle, WA. Her siblings, Deloris (Donald) Rutten of Albion, NE, Phyllis Henley of North Barrington, IL, Donna Hutchison of Burke, SD, Bob (Cindy) Diekmann of Gregory, SD and sister-in-law Dorothy Diekmann of Lincoln, CA, 16 nieces and nephews and 30 great-nieces and nephews. Alison, Alexandria, Emily, Lauryn, and Kaden graced her life since her arrival in Burke. The time they spent with her was special and cherished.

Dee"s kindness, love, and generosity were her greatest gifts. Plus, her readiness anytime for a game of cards, especially pinochle. She was always furnishing the bag of Brach"s chocolate covered peanuts every time the family gathered, listening to the little children share their excitement when they learned something new and hearing her come buzzing in the driveway with her window down and the sound of polka music radiating from the car! These trademarks of Dee will never be forgotten. She will be greatly missed.