Gerda Diersen

Gerda Johanna, daughter of Bernardus J. and Quirina (deJong) Zonneveld, was born December 28, 1949, at Wassenaar, Netherlands. In 1954 the family immigrated to Canada, followed by a move to Sparks, Nevada. The whole family learned the English language and prepared to become United States citizens in 1969. On March 20, 1971 Gerda was united in marriage with Zane Diersen at Sparks, NV. Following Zane's university education, the family moved to Manning, IA in 1977. They lived on a farm northeast of town and raised their seven children. Gerda was proud to be a homemaker and spent hours canning, sewing and preparing meals for nine. In later years Gerda was employed doing tax preparation, as well as other seasonal work. She ended her working career as the office manager at Zion Lutheran Church, where she was a member. This was a job that she loved. In December of 2008, Gerda was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Over the course of the next four years she found herself in and out of the Des Moines Methodist and University of Nebraska Hospitals. She endured chemo as well as a bone marrow transplant. However, during this time, Gerda managed to do many things that she loved. She spent time enjoying her children, playing games with grandchildren, traveling, and visiting with her many good friends. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 18, 2013, Gerda died at home near Manning in the care of her family. She was 63 years, 5 months and 3 weeks of age. Preceding Gerda in death were her parents Ben and Quirina Zonneveld, son Levi Diersen in 2010, sister-in-law Lori Diersen and father-in-law Kenneth Diersen. She is survived by her husband of 42 years Zane Diersen of Manning; daughter Veronica Moyle and husband Jeff with their daughters Kyla and Kelsey of Ely; son Zachary Diersen and wife Lisa with their children Alexandra, Hayes and Christine of Solon; daughter Yolanda Christensen and husband Jim and their children Austin, Tyler and Haley of Johnston; daughter Jacinta Dallman and her children Seth, Kianna and Garrett of McKinney, TX; son Nicholas Diersen and wife Dena and their children Blake and Rachael of Manning; son Zane and wife Heather and their children Maryse', Jozlynn and Zane III of Grimes; daughter-in-law Rochelle Diersen and sons Zeb and Lance of Grimes; mother-in-law Marie Diersen of Schaller; sisters: Margaret Nelson and husband Jim; Quirina Zonneveld; and Mary O'Hair and husband Kevin; brother-in-law Philip Diersen and wife Susan; sisters-in-law Paula Kraut; Denise Wiese and husband Monte; and Diane Schaepe and husband Joseph; brother-in-law Mark Diersen; many other relatives and friends. Officiating REVEREND ROBERT RIGGERT Music "IN CHRIST ALONE" "WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR ME" "ANCIENT WORDS" "AMAZING GRACE" "DAYS OF ELIJAH" ZION LUTHERAN PRAISE TEAM Casket Bearers ZACHARY DIERSEN NICHOLAS DIERSEN ZANE DIERSEN JIM CHRISTENSEN AUSTIN SCHENKELBERG SETH DALLMAN Interment MANNING CEMETERY MANNING, IOWA