Grant Kingston Dieck

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Grant Kingston Dieck, 76, joined his Lord Jesus Christ early Saturday morning on Aug. 30th, 2014. Grant died peacefully at home in Ironwood with his family at his side after a long, courageous battle with coronary disease and aggressive cancer.

Grant was born in Independence, Wis., on Oct. 7, 1937, to parents Grace (Kingston) and Marion Grant Dieck.

After high school, Grant attended one year of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before turning full-time to his true passion, flying. As a teenager, Grant took flight lessons at the local airport until he obtained his pilot's license and he began teaching others to fly. He found a vocation in flight by piloting commercial airplanes for Eastern Airlines.

Grant retired from Eastern in the late 70's but never slowed down. He drove over the road for Rohl Transport, designed and built a fire wood processing machine and took on many volunteer activities.

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to start a company to build and distribute his wood processing machines. Although the company did not take off, the machine processed many cords of firewood for his home and sauna over the years.

Grant was a long-time proud member of the Ironwood Township Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Marine Corps League after serving proudly in the Korean conflict as a U.S. Marine pilot and Coast Guard volunteer.

He was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood, the National Rifle Association and the North American Fishing Club. Grant remained active his entire life, even when he was sick.

Grant was a highly intelligent man who enjoyed being a father and grandfather, building things, helping others, tinkering in his garage, reading and painting. He also loved boating on Lake Superior, a passion he shared with his fiancé Connie Lekander. Grant met Connie in 1980 as she checked his blood pressure during a clinic at the Ironwood Township Fire Hall. They quickly became best friends and soul mates. They became engaged in 1985. They spent many weeks each summer motoring around the lake and camping at the Apostle Islands. Grant was gifted at reading weather patterns, a skill that kept them off the lake during inclement weather. He belonged to the Saxon Harbor Boating Club and enjoyed fishing trips with his good friends Bill and Ken Hines.

Grant is survived by his beloved Connie; children, Lucas (Donna) Lekander, Megan Lekander, Jody (Joe) Susi; grandchildren Lyric, Laec and Alina Lekander. He is also survived by three children from his first marriage, Jeff, Steve and Brenda; and two grandchildren.

Grant is reunited in death with his parents; brother, Philip; sister, Karen; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Grant left a permanent mark on the lives of many, especially Connie, Lucas, Jody and Megan who will miss him dearly until reunited in Heaven.

Cremation has taken place at the Range Crematory in Hurley, Wis. A funeral will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood with Pastor Kurt Brandon presiding. Visitation is at 10 a.m. and the funeral will be at 11 a.m. Military rites will be conducted by the Gogebic-Iron Marine Corps League. A luncheon will follow the service.

Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood.