Darrell "Dib" Wallace Dibben, 90
March 30, 1930 ~ April 12, 2020
Darrell (Dib) Wallace Dibben was born March 30, 1930, to Esther and Wallace Dibben in Flandreau, South Dakota. He died April 12, 2020, from complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Darrell graduated from the University of South Dakota and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa.
He was a proud veteran of the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea and Hawaii where he worked as a communication specialist.
Darrell taught high school in Emmetsburg, Iowa, for 6 years.
He married Marjorie Tesdahl Meyerholz November 19, 1960.
In 1965, he began his 30-year tenure at Dana College where he taught communications, language arts, and education classes. He was instrumental in starting the Dana College radio station KDCV-FM and remained the manager and advisor until his retirement in 1995. He loved teaching, but his great passion was mentoring students. One of his proudest moments was being voted "Professor of the Year" by the student body in 1988. He continued his passion for mentoring by being a part of the TeamMates program for many years after his retirement.
Darrell was an active member of First Lutheran Church for 54 years where he served on many committees including Church Council President and the Stephen Ministry Program.
Left to honor his memory are four children: Sherri Meyerholz Andersen, Shelli Meyerholz Mosser (Tim), David Dibben (Jann), and Daniel Dibben (Merri); 9 grandchildren: Scott Andersen, Brian Andersen (Lynn), Lori Andersen Connelly (Brian), Lindsey Northwall Lind (Matt), Andrew Northwall (Staci), Kelsie Dibben, Derek Dibben, Ryan Dibben, and Molly Dibben; 12 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marge; sisters, Rosemary Aus and Adele Olssen; and one grandchild, Amy Northwall.
Memorials are suggested in Darrell's name to First Lutheran Church or Open Door Mission. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in service to the family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from obituary courtesy of Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, Nebraska Note: the Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.--Source: organization website Note: A Blair resident, Darrell Dibbin was the first reported death from COVID-19 in Washington County. Dibben was a resident of Carter Place, the Blair assisted living facility that is linked to 19 cases of COVID-19. Residents were moved from the facility to neighboring hospitals March 28 and 29 due to the outbreak.-Source: Enterprise Publishing, Blair, Nebraska April 13, 2020
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I continue to remember and use content I learned from a course on Radio Broadcasting that Dib taught me my Freshman year (1974-1975). That was how impactful he could be and was. You can remember that now, too.--Paula Christensen, Facebook
Another phenomenal professor. Loved his classes.--Mike Williams, FaceBook
So sorry to hear about this loss. He is now celebrating in the presence of God. My best memory was getting our radio broadcast licenses and learning all about radio broadcasting on KDCV FM radio.--Robert Ehmen, FaceBook
I'm so sorry. Dib did so much for me. He was my mentor and encouraged me to give broadcasting a try. After 30 years I'm going strong 21 at KFAB I will always owe him gratitude for having faith in me when I didn't myself. Love and prayers to all his family and all who loved him so well.--Karla James Schulze, FaceBook
Shelli, I am so sorry to hear that your father has left us, but I am happy that his next stage is Heaven and reuniting with your mother. The last time he and I talked, he said he missed her and looked forward to being with his beloved Marge. So many of us send our gratitude for his support and care. Please know we mourn with you and your family.--Patty Gammel, Facebook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from transcript of April 14, 2020 KETV channel 7 special, hosted by Michelle Bandur
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLAIR, Neb. —
Son David Dibbens said the last time he saw his father was being wheeled into an ambulance from the Carter Place assisted living center. He said his father asked him how HE was doing.
"That's just the guy he was, always thinking of others first," Dibbens said.
Dibben, 90, was living at the Carter Place assisted living center before it was evacuated in late March due to COVID-19 outbreak there. Thirteen residents and six staff members at Carter Place tested positive for the virus.
"You don't get to be 90 years old unless you have a reason to wake up every day and 'Dib' was one of those people who could always find a reason to wake up," said Pastor Scott Frederickson.
Pastor Frederickson said Dibben was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Blair for 54 years and called him a 'churchman.'
"He was someone of strong faith and he was just that kind of guy. He was always there and always available and we're going to miss him deeply," said Frederickson.
Frederickson spoke with Dibben when he was in the hospital on a respirator. He said Dibben was having a hard time understanding the virus, but was ready for God's plan.
"Great testament, great courage to me to know someone in the midst of this kind of thing and is not wallowing in self pity or being afraid but still trusting in the core values and the belief of God that held him all through this life."
The family is asking donations be made to the Open Door Mission. His son said his father always wanted to help homeless vets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from article by Kevin Cole, OWH staff writer, printed in the April 15, 2020 Omaha World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dibben left the Carter Place assisted living center on March 29, 2020. To prevent the further spread of the virus, Carter Place went into lockdown in mid-March. Later, Carter Place temporarily closed after 13 residents and 6 staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
Son Dave Dibben said, "Dad was a great listener and very compassionate. That's why he supported the Open Door Mission and TeamMates. He always cared about others more than himself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
poem written by one of his grateful students
More Than Just a Teacher
by Jeff DeYoung, May 1, 2020 on the Dana Page on Facebook
In Memory of Professor Darrell Dibben.
The kid was clueless about life's plan,
On that warm late August day.
He thought teaching was the path for him,
But the Lord would have his say.
For the first time he was on his own,
And while the kid seemed cool.
The truth is he was scared to death,
This was definitely not high school.
He needed someone to guide him through,
To help him figure out.
Just exactly what he was meant to do
And what life was all about.
Life hands us gifts when we need them most,
Even those we don't recognize.
But on that day, that terrified kid,
Met the teacher who changed his life.
A hand on your shoulder, his eyes a twinkling,
"I'm Darrell Dibben," he said with a smile.
"We have a good little radio station at Dana,
How'd you like to give it a try?"
I said sure, and it didn't take long,
For me to understand.
Teaching was not my calling
A career in communications was the Lord's plan.
Not only did the Lord change my path,
He gave me a mentor, too.
A friend, a confidant and a teacher,
Someone I would forever look up to.
Those next four years, I learned so much,
About radio and life.
Those long talks in his office,
Could stretch into the night.
He encouraged me to choose a path,
A career that I would love.
So I found my way to journalism,
It was my calling from the Lord above.
This humble man had no idea,
How much his students loved him.
But his students never doubted,
His love for each of them.
I needed someone in my corner,
A friend, a mentor, a guide.
Someone who knew my hopes and dreams,
Someone who understood my life.
We stayed in touch, he was always there,
Anytime I reached out to him.
He always seemed to send an email,
Just when I always needed them.
He told me once, he was proud of me,
When my college gave me an award.
I brushed a tear away from my eye,
Those words meant so much more.
We lost this humble man of faith,
We didn't get to say goodbye.
But I know in those final days,
He thought of his students and smiled.
God blessed me with this humble man,
To help me plan a future.
Farewell, Mr. Dibben, you will be missed,
You were more than just a teacher.
He was my fav! He was a wonderful educator and man! I didn't have a dad in my life and Dib was a wonderful male role model! He would tell me to quit being mouthy, but then cheered me on when I did well! Great man! I hope his family knows how much his students loved him and respected him!--Cathy Messinger, FB
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#6 Printed in the December 27, 2020 Omaha World-Herald as part of a feature "The Lives of 40 Nebraskans" (who died of Covid) by Jessica Wade, Nancy Gaarder, Jeffrey Robb, World-Herald Staff Writers)
Age 90/Longtime Dana College professor
Darrell Dibben's thoughts were for his family even as he was being wheeled to an ambulance from a Blair assisted living center to keep battling COVID-19 at an Omaha hospital.
"We couldn't be with him because he (tested positive for) COVID-19, but I was outside in a mask, back away from him," eldest son Dave Dibben of Blair said. "I said, 'Dad, how you doing?' Right away, he found me in the crowd and said, 'I'm fine, Dave, how are you? Are you all right?'
"That was Dad," Dave Dibben said. "He cared so much more about others. That's what made him an outstanding parent and an outstanding teacher."
Darrell Dibben, a longtime professor at Dana College in Blair, died April 12 from complications of COVID-19 at Immanuel Medical Center.
In 1965, Dibben began a 30-year stint at Dana College, where he taught communications, language arts and education classes. He was instrumental in starting the school radio station, KDCV-FM, and remained its adviser until his retirement in 1995.
Dibben served in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War as a communications specialist.
In 1960, he married Marjorie Tesdahl Meyerholz, who died in 2002. The couple raised four children, all of whom graduated from Dana College.
Dibben is survived by his children, Sherri Andersen, Shelli Mosser, David Dibben and Daniel Dibben; along with nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Leaflet
Darrel W. Dibben
March 30, 1930 ~ April 12, 2020
Graveside Service with Military Honors Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm North End of the Blair Cemetery. All are Welcome.
Memorial Gathering Blair's First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 2:00-4:00 pm
No Memorials Please
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public at Blair, Nebraska.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 30, 1930 ~ April 12, 2020
Darrell (Dib) Wallace Dibben was born March 30, 1930, to Esther and Wallace Dibben in Flandreau, South Dakota. He died April 12, 2020, from complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Darrell graduated from the University of South Dakota and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa.
He was a proud veteran of the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea and Hawaii where he worked as a communication specialist.
Darrell taught high school in Emmetsburg, Iowa, for 6 years.
He married Marjorie Tesdahl Meyerholz November 19, 1960.
In 1965, he began his 30-year tenure at Dana College where he taught communications, language arts, and education classes. He was instrumental in starting the Dana College radio station KDCV-FM and remained the manager and advisor until his retirement in 1995. He loved teaching, but his great passion was mentoring students. One of his proudest moments was being voted "Professor of the Year" by the student body in 1988. He continued his passion for mentoring by being a part of the TeamMates program for many years after his retirement.
Darrell was an active member of First Lutheran Church for 54 years where he served on many committees including Church Council President and the Stephen Ministry Program.
Left to honor his memory are four children: Sherri Meyerholz Andersen, Shelli Meyerholz Mosser (Tim), David Dibben (Jann), and Daniel Dibben (Merri); 9 grandchildren: Scott Andersen, Brian Andersen (Lynn), Lori Andersen Connelly (Brian), Lindsey Northwall Lind (Matt), Andrew Northwall (Staci), Kelsie Dibben, Derek Dibben, Ryan Dibben, and Molly Dibben; 12 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marge; sisters, Rosemary Aus and Adele Olssen; and one grandchild, Amy Northwall.
Memorials are suggested in Darrell's name to First Lutheran Church or Open Door Mission. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in service to the family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from obituary courtesy of Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, Nebraska Note: the Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.--Source: organization website Note: A Blair resident, Darrell Dibbin was the first reported death from COVID-19 in Washington County. Dibben was a resident of Carter Place, the Blair assisted living facility that is linked to 19 cases of COVID-19. Residents were moved from the facility to neighboring hospitals March 28 and 29 due to the outbreak.-Source: Enterprise Publishing, Blair, Nebraska April 13, 2020
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I continue to remember and use content I learned from a course on Radio Broadcasting that Dib taught me my Freshman year (1974-1975). That was how impactful he could be and was. You can remember that now, too.--Paula Christensen, Facebook
Another phenomenal professor. Loved his classes.--Mike Williams, FaceBook
So sorry to hear about this loss. He is now celebrating in the presence of God. My best memory was getting our radio broadcast licenses and learning all about radio broadcasting on KDCV FM radio.--Robert Ehmen, FaceBook
I'm so sorry. Dib did so much for me. He was my mentor and encouraged me to give broadcasting a try. After 30 years I'm going strong 21 at KFAB I will always owe him gratitude for having faith in me when I didn't myself. Love and prayers to all his family and all who loved him so well.--Karla James Schulze, FaceBook
Shelli, I am so sorry to hear that your father has left us, but I am happy that his next stage is Heaven and reuniting with your mother. The last time he and I talked, he said he missed her and looked forward to being with his beloved Marge. So many of us send our gratitude for his support and care. Please know we mourn with you and your family.--Patty Gammel, Facebook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from transcript of April 14, 2020 KETV channel 7 special, hosted by Michelle Bandur
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLAIR, Neb. —
Son David Dibbens said the last time he saw his father was being wheeled into an ambulance from the Carter Place assisted living center. He said his father asked him how HE was doing.
"That's just the guy he was, always thinking of others first," Dibbens said.
Dibben, 90, was living at the Carter Place assisted living center before it was evacuated in late March due to COVID-19 outbreak there. Thirteen residents and six staff members at Carter Place tested positive for the virus.
"You don't get to be 90 years old unless you have a reason to wake up every day and 'Dib' was one of those people who could always find a reason to wake up," said Pastor Scott Frederickson.
Pastor Frederickson said Dibben was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Blair for 54 years and called him a 'churchman.'
"He was someone of strong faith and he was just that kind of guy. He was always there and always available and we're going to miss him deeply," said Frederickson.
Frederickson spoke with Dibben when he was in the hospital on a respirator. He said Dibben was having a hard time understanding the virus, but was ready for God's plan.
"Great testament, great courage to me to know someone in the midst of this kind of thing and is not wallowing in self pity or being afraid but still trusting in the core values and the belief of God that held him all through this life."
The family is asking donations be made to the Open Door Mission. His son said his father always wanted to help homeless vets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from article by Kevin Cole, OWH staff writer, printed in the April 15, 2020 Omaha World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dibben left the Carter Place assisted living center on March 29, 2020. To prevent the further spread of the virus, Carter Place went into lockdown in mid-March. Later, Carter Place temporarily closed after 13 residents and 6 staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
Son Dave Dibben said, "Dad was a great listener and very compassionate. That's why he supported the Open Door Mission and TeamMates. He always cared about others more than himself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
poem written by one of his grateful students
More Than Just a Teacher
by Jeff DeYoung, May 1, 2020 on the Dana Page on Facebook
In Memory of Professor Darrell Dibben.
The kid was clueless about life's plan,
On that warm late August day.
He thought teaching was the path for him,
But the Lord would have his say.
For the first time he was on his own,
And while the kid seemed cool.
The truth is he was scared to death,
This was definitely not high school.
He needed someone to guide him through,
To help him figure out.
Just exactly what he was meant to do
And what life was all about.
Life hands us gifts when we need them most,
Even those we don't recognize.
But on that day, that terrified kid,
Met the teacher who changed his life.
A hand on your shoulder, his eyes a twinkling,
"I'm Darrell Dibben," he said with a smile.
"We have a good little radio station at Dana,
How'd you like to give it a try?"
I said sure, and it didn't take long,
For me to understand.
Teaching was not my calling
A career in communications was the Lord's plan.
Not only did the Lord change my path,
He gave me a mentor, too.
A friend, a confidant and a teacher,
Someone I would forever look up to.
Those next four years, I learned so much,
About radio and life.
Those long talks in his office,
Could stretch into the night.
He encouraged me to choose a path,
A career that I would love.
So I found my way to journalism,
It was my calling from the Lord above.
This humble man had no idea,
How much his students loved him.
But his students never doubted,
His love for each of them.
I needed someone in my corner,
A friend, a mentor, a guide.
Someone who knew my hopes and dreams,
Someone who understood my life.
We stayed in touch, he was always there,
Anytime I reached out to him.
He always seemed to send an email,
Just when I always needed them.
He told me once, he was proud of me,
When my college gave me an award.
I brushed a tear away from my eye,
Those words meant so much more.
We lost this humble man of faith,
We didn't get to say goodbye.
But I know in those final days,
He thought of his students and smiled.
God blessed me with this humble man,
To help me plan a future.
Farewell, Mr. Dibben, you will be missed,
You were more than just a teacher.
He was my fav! He was a wonderful educator and man! I didn't have a dad in my life and Dib was a wonderful male role model! He would tell me to quit being mouthy, but then cheered me on when I did well! Great man! I hope his family knows how much his students loved him and respected him!--Cathy Messinger, FB
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#6 Printed in the December 27, 2020 Omaha World-Herald as part of a feature "The Lives of 40 Nebraskans" (who died of Covid) by Jessica Wade, Nancy Gaarder, Jeffrey Robb, World-Herald Staff Writers)
Age 90/Longtime Dana College professor
Darrell Dibben's thoughts were for his family even as he was being wheeled to an ambulance from a Blair assisted living center to keep battling COVID-19 at an Omaha hospital.
"We couldn't be with him because he (tested positive for) COVID-19, but I was outside in a mask, back away from him," eldest son Dave Dibben of Blair said. "I said, 'Dad, how you doing?' Right away, he found me in the crowd and said, 'I'm fine, Dave, how are you? Are you all right?'
"That was Dad," Dave Dibben said. "He cared so much more about others. That's what made him an outstanding parent and an outstanding teacher."
Darrell Dibben, a longtime professor at Dana College in Blair, died April 12 from complications of COVID-19 at Immanuel Medical Center.
In 1965, Dibben began a 30-year stint at Dana College, where he taught communications, language arts and education classes. He was instrumental in starting the school radio station, KDCV-FM, and remained its adviser until his retirement in 1995.
Dibben served in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War as a communications specialist.
In 1960, he married Marjorie Tesdahl Meyerholz, who died in 2002. The couple raised four children, all of whom graduated from Dana College.
Dibben is survived by his children, Sherri Andersen, Shelli Mosser, David Dibben and Daniel Dibben; along with nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Leaflet
Darrel W. Dibben
March 30, 1930 ~ April 12, 2020
Graveside Service with Military Honors Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm North End of the Blair Cemetery. All are Welcome.
Memorial Gathering Blair's First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 2:00-4:00 pm
No Memorials Please
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public at Blair, Nebraska.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darrell "Dib" Wallace Dibben, 90
March 30, 1930 ~ April 12, 2020
Darrell (Dib) Wallace Dibben was born March 30, 1930, to Esther and Wallace Dibben in Flandreau, South Dakota. He died April 12, 2020, from complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Darrell graduated from the University of South Dakota and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa.
He was a proud veteran of the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea and Hawaii where he worked as a communication specialist.
Darrell taught high school in Emmetsburg, Iowa, for 6 years.
He married Marjorie Tesdahl Meyerholz November 19, 1960.
In 1965, he began his 30-year tenure at Dana College where he taught communications, language arts, and education classes. He was instrumental in starting the Dana College radio station KDCV-FM and remained the manager and advisor until his retirement in 1995. He loved teaching, but his great passion was mentoring students. One of his proudest moments was being voted "Professor of the Year" by the student body in 1988. He continued his passion for mentoring by being a part of the TeamMates program for many years after his retirement.
Darrell was an active member of First Lutheran Church for 54 years where he served on many committees including Church Council President and the Stephen Ministry Program.
Left to honor his memory are four children: Sherri Meyerholz Andersen, Shelli Meyerholz Mosser (Tim), David Dibben (Jann), and Daniel Dibben (Merri); 9 grandchildren: Scott Andersen, Brian Andersen (Lynn), Lori Andersen Connelly (Brian), Lindsey Northwall Lind (Matt), Andrew Northwall (Staci), Kelsie Dibben, Derek Dibben, Ryan Dibben, and Molly Dibben; 12 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marge; sisters, Rosemary Aus and Adele Olssen; and one grandchild, Amy Northwall.
Memorials are suggested in Darrell's name to First Lutheran Church or Open Door Mission. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in service to the family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from obituary courtesy of Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, Nebraska Note: the Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.--Source: organization website Note: A Blair resident, Darrell Dibbin was the first reported death from COVID-19 in Washington County. Dibben was a resident of Carter Place, the Blair assisted living facility that is linked to 19 cases of COVID-19. Residents were moved from the facility to neighboring hospitals March 28 and 29 due to the outbreak.-Source: Enterprise Publishing, Blair, Nebraska April 13, 2020
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I continue to remember and use content I learned from a course on Radio Broadcasting that Dib taught me my Freshman year (1974-1975). That was how impactful he could be and was. You can remember that now, too.--Paula Christensen, Facebook
Another phenomenal professor. Loved his classes.--Mike Williams, FaceBook
So sorry to hear about this loss. He is now celebrating in the presence of God. My best memory was getting our radio broadcast licenses and learning all about radio broadcasting on KDCV FM radio.--Robert Ehmen, FaceBook
I'm so sorry. Dib did so much for me. He was my mentor and encouraged me to give broadcasting a try. After 30 years I'm going strong 21 at KFAB I will always owe him gratitude for having faith in me when I didn't myself. Love and prayers to all his family and all who loved him so well.--Karla James Schulze, FaceBook
Shelli, I am so sorry to hear that your father has left us, but I am happy that his next stage is Heaven and reuniting with your mother. The last time he and I talked, he said he missed her and looked forward to being with his beloved Marge. So many of us send our gratitude for his support and care. Please know we mourn with you and your family.--Patty Gammel, Facebook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from transcript of April 14, 2020 KETV channel 7 special, hosted by Michelle Bandur
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLAIR, Neb. —
Son David Dibbens said the last time he saw his father was being wheeled into an ambulance from the Carter Place assisted living center. He said his father asked him how HE was doing.
"That's just the guy he was, always thinking of others first," Dibbens said.
Dibben, 90, was living at the Carter Place assisted living center before it was evacuated in late March due to COVID-19 outbreak there. Thirteen residents and six staff members at Carter Place tested positive for the virus.
"You don't get to be 90 years old unless you have a reason to wake up every day and 'Dib' was one of those people who could always find a reason to wake up," said Pastor Scott Frederickson.
Pastor Frederickson said Dibben was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Blair for 54 years and called him a 'churchman.'
"He was someone of strong faith and he was just that kind of guy. He was always there and always available and we're going to miss him deeply," said Frederickson.
Frederickson spoke with Dibben when he was in the hospital on a respirator. He said Dibben was having a hard time understanding the virus, but was ready for God's plan.
"Great testament, great courage to me to know someone in the midst of this kind of thing and is not wallowing in self pity or being afraid but still trusting in the core values and the belief of God that held him all through this life."
The family is asking donations be made to the Open Door Mission. His son said his father always wanted to help homeless vets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from article by Kevin Cole, OWH staff writer, printed in the April 15, 2020 Omaha World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dibben left the Carter Place assisted living center on March 29, 2020. To prevent the further spread of the virus, Carter Place went into lockdown in mid-March. Later, Carter Place temporarily closed after 13 residents and 6 staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
Son Dave Dibben said, "Dad was a great listener and very compassionate. That's why he supported the Open Door Mission and TeamMates. He always cared about others more than himself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
poem written by one of his grateful students
More Than Just a Teacher
by Jeff DeYoung, May 1, 2020 on the Dana Page on Facebook
In Memory of Professor Darrell Dibben.
The kid was clueless about life's plan,
On that warm late August day.
He thought teaching was the path for him,
But the Lord would have his say.
For the first time he was on his own,
And while the kid seemed cool.
The truth is he was scared to death,
This was definitely not high school.
He needed someone to guide him through,
To help him figure out.
Just exactly what he was meant to do
And what life was all about.
Life hands us gifts when we need them most,
Even those we don't recognize.
But on that day, that terrified kid,
Met the teacher who changed his life.
A hand on your shoulder, his eyes a twinkling,
"I'm Darrell Dibben," he said with a smile.
"We have a good little radio station at Dana,
How'd you like to give it a try?"
I said sure, and it didn't take long,
For me to understand.
Teaching was not my calling
A career in communications was the Lord's plan.
Not only did the Lord change my path,
He gave me a mentor, too.
A friend, a confidant and a teacher,
Someone I would forever look up to.
Those next four years, I learned so much,
About radio and life.
Those long talks in his office,
Could stretch into the night.
He encouraged me to choose a path,
A career that I would love.
So I found my way to journalism,
It was my calling from the Lord above.
This humble man had no idea,
How much his students loved him.
But his students never doubted,
His love for each of them.
I needed someone in my corner,
A friend, a mentor, a guide.
Someone who knew my hopes and dreams,
Someone who understood my life.
We stayed in touch, he was always there,
Anytime I reached out to him.
He always seemed to send an email,
Just when I always needed them.
He told me once, he was proud of me,
When my college gave me an award.
I brushed a tear away from my eye,
Those words meant so much more.
We lost this humble man of faith,
We didn't get to say goodbye.
But I know in those final days,
He thought of his students and smiled.
God blessed me with this humble man,
To help me plan a future.
Farewell, Mr. Dibben, you will be missed,
You were more than just a teacher.
He was my fav! He was a wonderful educator and man! I didn't have a dad in my life and Dib was a wonderful male role model! He would tell me to quit being mouthy, but then cheered me on when I did well! Great man! I hope his family knows how much his students loved him and respected him!--Cathy Messinger, FB
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#6 Printed in the December 27, 2020 Omaha World-Herald as part of a feature "The Lives of 40 Nebraskans" (who died of Covid) by Jessica Wade, Nancy Gaarder, Jeffrey Robb, World-Herald Staff Writers)
Age 90/Longtime Dana College professor
Darrell Dibben's thoughts were for his family even as he was being wheeled to an ambulance from a Blair assisted living center to keep battling COVID-19 at an Omaha hospital.
"We couldn't be with him because he (tested positive for) COVID-19, but I was outside in a mask, back away from him," eldest son Dave Dibben of Blair said. "I said, 'Dad, how you doing?' Right away, he found me in the crowd and said, 'I'm fine, Dave, how are you? Are you all right?'
"That was Dad," Dave Dibben said. "He cared so much more about others. That's what made him an outstanding parent and an outstanding teacher."
Darrell Dibben, a longtime professor at Dana College in Blair, died April 12 from complications of COVID-19 at Immanuel Medical Center.
In 1965, Dibben began a 30-year stint at Dana College, where he taught communications, language arts and education classes. He was instrumental in starting the school radio station, KDCV-FM, and remained its adviser until his retirement in 1995.
Dibben served in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War as a communications specialist.
In 1960, he married Marjorie Tesdahl Meyerholz, who died in 2002. The couple raised four children, all of whom graduated from Dana College.
Dibben is survived by his children, Sherri Andersen, Shelli Mosser, David Dibben and Daniel Dibben; along with nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Leaflet
Darrel W. Dibben
March 30, 1930 ~ April 12, 2020
Graveside Service with Military Honors Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm North End of the Blair Cemetery. All are Welcome.
Memorial Gathering Blair's First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 2:00-4:00 pm
No Memorials Please
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public at Blair, Nebraska.
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March 30, 1930 ~ April 12, 2020
Darrell (Dib) Wallace Dibben was born March 30, 1930, to Esther and Wallace Dibben in Flandreau, South Dakota. He died April 12, 2020, from complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Darrell graduated from the University of South Dakota and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa.
He was a proud veteran of the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea and Hawaii where he worked as a communication specialist.
Darrell taught high school in Emmetsburg, Iowa, for 6 years.
He married Marjorie Tesdahl Meyerholz November 19, 1960.
In 1965, he began his 30-year tenure at Dana College where he taught communications, language arts, and education classes. He was instrumental in starting the Dana College radio station KDCV-FM and remained the manager and advisor until his retirement in 1995. He loved teaching, but his great passion was mentoring students. One of his proudest moments was being voted "Professor of the Year" by the student body in 1988. He continued his passion for mentoring by being a part of the TeamMates program for many years after his retirement.
Darrell was an active member of First Lutheran Church for 54 years where he served on many committees including Church Council President and the Stephen Ministry Program.
Left to honor his memory are four children: Sherri Meyerholz Andersen, Shelli Meyerholz Mosser (Tim), David Dibben (Jann), and Daniel Dibben (Merri); 9 grandchildren: Scott Andersen, Brian Andersen (Lynn), Lori Andersen Connelly (Brian), Lindsey Northwall Lind (Matt), Andrew Northwall (Staci), Kelsie Dibben, Derek Dibben, Ryan Dibben, and Molly Dibben; 12 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marge; sisters, Rosemary Aus and Adele Olssen; and one grandchild, Amy Northwall.
Memorials are suggested in Darrell's name to First Lutheran Church or Open Door Mission. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in service to the family.
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from obituary courtesy of Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, Nebraska Note: the Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.--Source: organization website Note: A Blair resident, Darrell Dibbin was the first reported death from COVID-19 in Washington County. Dibben was a resident of Carter Place, the Blair assisted living facility that is linked to 19 cases of COVID-19. Residents were moved from the facility to neighboring hospitals March 28 and 29 due to the outbreak.-Source: Enterprise Publishing, Blair, Nebraska April 13, 2020
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I continue to remember and use content I learned from a course on Radio Broadcasting that Dib taught me my Freshman year (1974-1975). That was how impactful he could be and was. You can remember that now, too.--Paula Christensen, Facebook
Another phenomenal professor. Loved his classes.--Mike Williams, FaceBook
So sorry to hear about this loss. He is now celebrating in the presence of God. My best memory was getting our radio broadcast licenses and learning all about radio broadcasting on KDCV FM radio.--Robert Ehmen, FaceBook
I'm so sorry. Dib did so much for me. He was my mentor and encouraged me to give broadcasting a try. After 30 years I'm going strong 21 at KFAB I will always owe him gratitude for having faith in me when I didn't myself. Love and prayers to all his family and all who loved him so well.--Karla James Schulze, FaceBook
Shelli, I am so sorry to hear that your father has left us, but I am happy that his next stage is Heaven and reuniting with your mother. The last time he and I talked, he said he missed her and looked forward to being with his beloved Marge. So many of us send our gratitude for his support and care. Please know we mourn with you and your family.--Patty Gammel, Facebook
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from transcript of April 14, 2020 KETV channel 7 special, hosted by Michelle Bandur
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BLAIR, Neb. —
Son David Dibbens said the last time he saw his father was being wheeled into an ambulance from the Carter Place assisted living center. He said his father asked him how HE was doing.
"That's just the guy he was, always thinking of others first," Dibbens said.
Dibben, 90, was living at the Carter Place assisted living center before it was evacuated in late March due to COVID-19 outbreak there. Thirteen residents and six staff members at Carter Place tested positive for the virus.
"You don't get to be 90 years old unless you have a reason to wake up every day and 'Dib' was one of those people who could always find a reason to wake up," said Pastor Scott Frederickson.
Pastor Frederickson said Dibben was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Blair for 54 years and called him a 'churchman.'
"He was someone of strong faith and he was just that kind of guy. He was always there and always available and we're going to miss him deeply," said Frederickson.
Frederickson spoke with Dibben when he was in the hospital on a respirator. He said Dibben was having a hard time understanding the virus, but was ready for God's plan.
"Great testament, great courage to me to know someone in the midst of this kind of thing and is not wallowing in self pity or being afraid but still trusting in the core values and the belief of God that held him all through this life."
The family is asking donations be made to the Open Door Mission. His son said his father always wanted to help homeless vets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from article by Kevin Cole, OWH staff writer, printed in the April 15, 2020 Omaha World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska
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Dibben left the Carter Place assisted living center on March 29, 2020. To prevent the further spread of the virus, Carter Place went into lockdown in mid-March. Later, Carter Place temporarily closed after 13 residents and 6 staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
Son Dave Dibben said, "Dad was a great listener and very compassionate. That's why he supported the Open Door Mission and TeamMates. He always cared about others more than himself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
poem written by one of his grateful students
More Than Just a Teacher
by Jeff DeYoung, May 1, 2020 on the Dana Page on Facebook
In Memory of Professor Darrell Dibben.
The kid was clueless about life's plan,
On that warm late August day.
He thought teaching was the path for him,
But the Lord would have his say.
For the first time he was on his own,
And while the kid seemed cool.
The truth is he was scared to death,
This was definitely not high school.
He needed someone to guide him through,
To help him figure out.
Just exactly what he was meant to do
And what life was all about.
Life hands us gifts when we need them most,
Even those we don't recognize.
But on that day, that terrified kid,
Met the teacher who changed his life.
A hand on your shoulder, his eyes a twinkling,
"I'm Darrell Dibben," he said with a smile.
"We have a good little radio station at Dana,
How'd you like to give it a try?"
I said sure, and it didn't take long,
For me to understand.
Teaching was not my calling
A career in communications was the Lord's plan.
Not only did the Lord change my path,
He gave me a mentor, too.
A friend, a confidant and a teacher,
Someone I would forever look up to.
Those next four years, I learned so much,
About radio and life.
Those long talks in his office,
Could stretch into the night.
He encouraged me to choose a path,
A career that I would love.
So I found my way to journalism,
It was my calling from the Lord above.
This humble man had no idea,
How much his students loved him.
But his students never doubted,
His love for each of them.
I needed someone in my corner,
A friend, a mentor, a guide.
Someone who knew my hopes and dreams,
Someone who understood my life.
We stayed in touch, he was always there,
Anytime I reached out to him.
He always seemed to send an email,
Just when I always needed them.
He told me once, he was proud of me,
When my college gave me an award.
I brushed a tear away from my eye,
Those words meant so much more.
We lost this humble man of faith,
We didn't get to say goodbye.
But I know in those final days,
He thought of his students and smiled.
God blessed me with this humble man,
To help me plan a future.
Farewell, Mr. Dibben, you will be missed,
You were more than just a teacher.
He was my fav! He was a wonderful educator and man! I didn't have a dad in my life and Dib was a wonderful male role model! He would tell me to quit being mouthy, but then cheered me on when I did well! Great man! I hope his family knows how much his students loved him and respected him!--Cathy Messinger, FB
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#6 Printed in the December 27, 2020 Omaha World-Herald as part of a feature "The Lives of 40 Nebraskans" (who died of Covid) by Jessica Wade, Nancy Gaarder, Jeffrey Robb, World-Herald Staff Writers)
Age 90/Longtime Dana College professor
Darrell Dibben's thoughts were for his family even as he was being wheeled to an ambulance from a Blair assisted living center to keep battling COVID-19 at an Omaha hospital.
"We couldn't be with him because he (tested positive for) COVID-19, but I was outside in a mask, back away from him," eldest son Dave Dibben of Blair said. "I said, 'Dad, how you doing?' Right away, he found me in the crowd and said, 'I'm fine, Dave, how are you? Are you all right?'
"That was Dad," Dave Dibben said. "He cared so much more about others. That's what made him an outstanding parent and an outstanding teacher."
Darrell Dibben, a longtime professor at Dana College in Blair, died April 12 from complications of COVID-19 at Immanuel Medical Center.
In 1965, Dibben began a 30-year stint at Dana College, where he taught communications, language arts and education classes. He was instrumental in starting the school radio station, KDCV-FM, and remained its adviser until his retirement in 1995.
Dibben served in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War as a communications specialist.
In 1960, he married Marjorie Tesdahl Meyerholz, who died in 2002. The couple raised four children, all of whom graduated from Dana College.
Dibben is survived by his children, Sherri Andersen, Shelli Mosser, David Dibben and Daniel Dibben; along with nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Leaflet
Darrel W. Dibben
March 30, 1930 ~ April 12, 2020
Graveside Service with Military Honors Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm North End of the Blair Cemetery. All are Welcome.
Memorial Gathering Blair's First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 2:00-4:00 pm
No Memorials Please
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public at Blair, Nebraska.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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