Markus "Mark" S. Dietz

October 4, 1933 — June 5, 2026

McPherson, KS

Markus S. Dietz was born October 4, 1933, in Great Bend, Kansas. He was the youngest (and most spoiled!) of seven children born to Siegmund and Ida (Dienes) Dietz. He grew up on a farm northwest of Galatia and attended elementary school in a one-room school house. He often rode his horse, Barney, to school and on one occasion, his horse got untied and went back home, leaving Mark to walk home. Mark graduated from Otis Rural High School in 1951.

He married Victoria Lebsack when he was 19 years old. A son, Michael Mark, was born on March 8, 1956. During this time, Mark lived in Wichita and worked for Boeing and Wichita State Bank.

On January 7, 1960, he was united in marriage to Mildred Browne. They were blessed with two children, Melanie and Mark. They enjoyed camping as a family. Mildred passed away February 2, 1994.

Mark accepted Christ when he was 63 years old at a Todd Smith Revival. He had a heart for Jesus. His wish was for everyone to accept Jesus as their personal savior, especially his family and friends. Mark loved classical music and sang in the Messiah several times. He sang in the Mennonite Men's Choir and in the church choir of the First United Methodist Church in Wichita and later at First Baptist in McPherson. He was a devout Christian and joined Caroline at First Baptist after their marriage.

For most of Mark's life, he was a mechanic and operator of service stations. He lived in Pompano Beach, Florida where he was employed at a Standard Service Station. Later, he became a dealer for Standard Oil. He also lived in Chicago where he worked as a mechanic for an Amoco station, later becoming the assistant manager and operator. He moved back to Wichita where he leased the Airport Standard Service Station. He also leased two Fina Stations. Mark greatly loved his work.

Mark became a dealer for Lawn Boy Mowers. He had contracts for mowing and worked on mowers and small engines. Mark was an inventor and had a patent for one of his inventions. He was known to make and fix about anything to make his work easier for him and others.

Mark enjoyed square dancing and that is how he met Caroline Davignon. They got married October 18, 1997. He also learned to love Caroline's son, Warren and wife, Dawn, and their family that included four daughters; Leah, Sarah, Samantha, and Serena.

Mark and Caroline enjoyed many years of square dancing together. Mark moved to McPherson after he married Caroline and opened up a mower shop there. He also drove a school bus for the McPherson Schools for eight years until he retired in 2014.

Mark was a devoted NASCAR fan and attended several races. He especially loved the roar of the engines! Dale Earnhardt was his favorite driver. The biggest treat Mark got was when he received a gift to drive one of the race cars at Texas Speedway where he reached a top speed of 150.35 MPH!

Mark and Caroline had many adventures in traveling not only to NASCAR races but also to the Rose Bowl Parade and a trip to Alaska that included a cruise. A cruise to Cozumel was special and so was a cruise to the Bahamas. They also traveled out of state to visit families. Mark and Caroline also enjoyed going on mission trips with the First Baptist group to the "Graffiti Church" in New York City, Rainbow Acres, Kodiak Alaska, Bethel Neighborhood Center, and many others.

He was a proud grandpa when Taylor and Morgan were born. He loved to take them camping. Mark enjoyed playing checkers with all his granddaughters. He was known for his great sense of humor and loving care for other people.

As Mark got older, he received daycare and respite services from Blue Stem PACE and he received loving care. He eventually became a resident at Bethesda Home in Goessel and they also gave Mark excellent care during his stay there.

Mark passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Bethesda Home. He was ninety-two.

Survivors include: his wife, Caroline of the home; a daughter, Melanie Rangel of Wichita, KS; a son, Mark David Dietz of Wichita, KS; a step-son, Warren Colbert (Dawn) of Veneta, OR; two granddaughters, and four step-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Michael, and six siblings, Edwin Dietz, Rosa Nulik, Helen Landon, Luther Dietz, Esther Karst, and Leona Kauffman.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at First Baptist Church, in McPherson. Private inurnment will take place at a later date. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, June 19, at First Baptist Church.

Memorial donations can be made payable to First Baptist Church or Bethesda Home and may be sent in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut St., McPherson, KS 67460.