Jean L. Dietrich

Grand Ledge, MI

Jean Leone Dietrich joined her husband, William Mark Dietrich Jr. “Bill,” into Life Eternal on Tuesday December 2, 2025.  Jean was born in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of John and Letha (Lobb) Jacobs on February 24, 1934, in Jackson, Michigan. Jean was a proud graduate of Lake Orion High School in 1952 and Michigan State University in 1956 with a degree in education.  Jean and Bill were married at The Peoples Church in East Lansing in 1955 and set off on a two-week honeymoon to the West Coast.  Driving Route 66, they drove to bear witness to the 1956 MSU Rose Bowl victory over UCLA. They purchased their first home in East Lansing. However, with a fourth child on the way realized they needed more room. They moved to 2530 Bedford Rd. in Lansing in 1962, where they would do life for the next 57 years. After one year of teaching at Bailey Elementary in East Lansing, she poured herself into raising five children, teaching the values of a strong work ethic, caring for others, perseverance, gratitude, and faith in the Lord. Jean was a longtime member of the Royal Order of Jesterettes and served with so many kind and generous members of the Lansing Town Hall Board for many years.  She truly cherished her opportunity to serve and support the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.  Her strong faith in God carried her through life’s challenges including a long season of caregiving for her daughter, Diana and a few years later for her husband, Bill.  Bill and Jean joined First Presbyterian Church in 1962, where she served in many different ways, most recently on the 175^th Anniversary committee. One of her favorite roles included providing funeral meals and leading the First Presbyterian’s participation in the downtown “Salad Luncheon” program that helped raise money for mission work. Jean’s love language was hospitality, preparing meals, baking sourdough bread, baking cookies, and making candy especially during Christmas time.  She built community whenever she had any opportunity to meet people including but not limited to the Dwight Rich/Lewton neighborhood, Gun Lake, First Presbyterian Church, and any grocery store.

Jean is survived by her children: Mark Dietrich of Grand Rapids, MI, John (Linda) Dietrich of Kentwood, MI, Chuck (Joan) Dietrich of Grandville, MI, Dan (Liz) Dietrich of Greensburg, IN; and sisters-in-law: Kate Dietrich, Ilene Dietrich, and Carolyn Jacobs. Jean cherished her ten grandchildren: Christy (Nigel) Browne, Michelle (Sheldon) Forte, Madge Dietrich (Dani Bryant), Alex (Claire) Dietrich, Elizabeth (Chuck) Knoll, Sarah Dietrich (Austin Black), Kelly (Tyler) Kuehl, Sean (Sophie) Dietrich. Ryan (Allee) Dietrich, and Gina Dietrich; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; daughter, Diana; siblings: John Jacobs, Jim (Nancy) Jacobs, and Jane (Roger) Smith; brothers-in-law: Ron and Doug Dietrich; sister, Posy (Norm) McCracken; and special friend, John Ellis.

A special thank you to the StoryPoint team in Grand Ledge for making the last six-plus years a meaningful experience for Jean.

Visitation will be at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI, on Friday, December 19^th from 2-5 PM and one hour prior to the service. The service begins at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 20th at the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 510 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48933 with “food pantry” written on the memo line, or you can donate to the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing Food Pantry through the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing website: lansingfirstpres.net.