William (Bill) Dierenfeld, Jr. passed away on January 12 at the age of 85.  Bill was born in Newell, Iowa, on January 25, 1931 to William, Sr. and Helen (Olsen) Dierenfeld.  At an early age, Bill and his family moved to a farm three miles south of Sac City where Bill later resided with his wife and children and farmed for the rest of his life.  Bill graduated from Sac Community Schools and enrolled at Iowa State University.

A major international event prevented Bill from completing his studies at Iowa State –the Korean War. Bill was proud of his service to his country, serving in the U.S. Army from March 21, 1953 to February 21, 1955, attaining the rank of corporal.  

As proud as Bill was of his military service, he was even more proud of his marriage to his wife, Joyce Doxtader Dierenfeld.  They married on September 14, 1951 and were partners and best friends throughout their lives until Joyce passed on June 16, 2007.  Together Bill and Joyce raised five children.  

Bill’s vocation and passion was farming.  He loved caring for animals and he loved Iowa’s fertile land.  Farming the dark, rich soils of Sac County was his calling and he prided himself in having some of the “best crops” and “cleanest fields” anywhere, every year, during the many decades he farmed. 

Bill’s faith was important to him.  He was a member of St Paul Lutheran Church, in Sac City, which his parents help build.  Bill was best known for his friendly demeanor, quick wit and dry sense of humor.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Doxtader Dierenfeld, his parents, William E., Sr. and Helen Dierenfeld, and his brother, Glenn Dierenfeld.  He is survived by his children, Nancy (Pete) Erickson, Paula Dierenfeld (Dave Roederer), William (Billy) Dierenfeld, III, Sandra Dierenfeld, and Brian (Sonya) Dierenfeld.  Bill is also survived by his sisters Elaine (John) Hubler and Ruth (Jim) Brell, and brothers Frank (Helen) Dierenfeld and Don (Doris) Dierenfeld.  

Bill’s many grandchildren include Angie (Michael) Doyle Scar, Mickey (Jenn) Doyle, Angie McDermott, Cherie Erickson, Melissa (Gene)Frazier, Missy Wandrey, Ryan (Becky) Cook, Noah Just and Paige Dierenfeld.  His many, many great-grandchildren include Grady Doyle Scar, Jackson Doyle Scar, Jude Doyle Scar, Gabe Doyle Scar, Connor Doyle, Hailey Doyle, Shawn Doyle, Bryce Block, Carrie Block, Billy Frazier, JD Frazier, Simeon Frazier, Raven Frazier, Skylar Wandrey, Endia Williams, Moriah McDermott, Skylar McDuffy, Brooklyn McDuffy, Mateo Valdez, and Liberty Valdez.  His great-great- grandchildren include Chase Block, Kamara Paige, Kamaria Paige, Marcus Paige and Karter Paige. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Veterans of Foreign War Hall, 409 N 5^th Street, Sac City, Iowa, and the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, 7105 NW 70^th Ave, Johnston, Iowa.