Levi Diersen, son of Zane and Gerda Diersen, was born July 21, 1980, in Manning, Iowa. Levi was the seventh child of Zane and Gerda. He grew up on a farm north of Manning and graduated from Manning Community Schools.

Levi worked for Hy-Vee Food Stores for a total of 10 years. During his first few years with Hy-Vee while employed in the Columbus, Nebraska store, he met Rochelle Murphy. Later they moved to Grimes, Iowa and were married in the Crossroad Church in Earlham, Iowa on August 12, 2006. Levi and Rochelle had two sons, Zeb and Lance Diersen.

Levi was a member of the Crossroad Church in Earlham, Iowa. His Christian beliefs played a large role in his life as a son, brother, husband, and father. Following in the footsteps of his father, he was known by his family and friends as a peace maker. Levi's zest for life was contagious. His positive outlooks and thoughts on life were a source of constant encouragement to all whom encountered him.

Levi enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his boys. He loved fishing with his brothers and nephews as well as spending time learning how to garden like his dad. Levi enjoyed working with his brothers on countless occasions doing a variety of carpenter projects. He also enjoyed sharing his pontoon boat with others. Levi treasured the memory of the ride he gave his paternal grandparents on the day of his son Zeb's dedication. Levi also spent many hours at auctions looking for treasures he would later take home to turn into something he, or someone else, could put to good use. Levi spent many weekends in Columbus, Nebraska with Rochelle's family where he tried hard to win any and all go-cart competitions.

On Wednesday, January 6th, 2010, Levi was killed on his way home from work. He was on I-80 Westbound near 2nd Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa when his car collided with a semi-trailer on icy roads. Levi was 29 years of age at the time of his death.

Levi is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents.

He is survived by his wife, Rochelle Diersen, two sons, Zeb (20 months) and Lance (8 months) of Grimes; his parents, Zane and Gerda Diersen of Manning; sister Veronica Moyle and husband Jeff along with their daughters Kyla and Kelsey ; brother Zachary and wife Lisa along with their children Alexandra, Hayes, and Christine; sister Yolanda Christensen and husband Jim and their children Austin, Tyler, and Haley; sister Jacinta Dallman and her husband Jeff and their children Elizabeth, Seth, Joshua, Kianna, and Garrett; brother Nicholas and wife Dena and their son Blake and daughter Rachel; brother Zane and wife Heather and their children Maryse`, Jozlynn, and Zane III; grandparents Kenneth and Marie Diersen; and many other relatives and friends.

DES MOINES - Levi Diersen, 29, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2010, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, at the church. Burial will be in Manning, Iowa. Graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Sunday at Crossroad Church in Earlham, Iowa.

He was born July 21, 1980. He was employed at HyVee stores in Nebraska and Iowa. He loved fishing and boating, and was a loving father and was very proud of his boys.

He is survived by his wife, Rochelle; and sons, Zeb and Lance; parents, Zane and Gerda Diersen; mother and father-in-law, Dianna and Robert Lupien; sister, Veronica and Jeff; brother, Zachary and Lisa; sister, Yolanda and Jim; brother, Nicholas and Dena; brother, Zane and Heather; aunts; uncles; and many nieces and nephews; brothers and sisters-in law, Charlton Murphy; Ralph Murphy; Kathleen and Allen Hein; grandparents, Ken and Marie Diersen and Rochelle’s grandparents, Virginia Pede and Chuck and Anita Murphy.

He was preceded in death by Oma and Opa Zonnezeld.

A trust fund has been set up in honor of Levi at Bankers Trust, 110 S Main, Grimes, Iowa 50111, payable to ITF Levi Diersen Memorial Fund.

Black ice a factor in crash, death of Grimes family man
January 08, 2010 17:38 PM

A married father of two and a longtime Hy-Vee employee died Wednesday after he lost control of his Chevrolet Cobalt on a patch of black ice along Interstate Highway 35/80 near Second Avenue in Des Moines. Levi Diersen, 29, was on his way home to Grimes from the Pleasant Hill Hy-Vee, where he was an assistant manager. His car hit the back of a semitrailer truck that was slowing because of road conditions and another accident at about 3:20 p.m., according to the Iowa State Patrol.

The youngest of seven, Diersen had been married to Rochelle Diersen, 30, for almost 3˝ years, relatives said. They said he was a family man who loved telling stories about his two sons. To everyone else, Diersen's 8-month-old was Lance and his 20-month-old was Zeb, but to him they were "Lancerboy" and " Superzeb," his family said. He had worked for Hy-Vee at different stores for more than 10 years. "Levi was a people person through and through," said Zane Diersen, Levi's brother. "He just wanted to help people - that's why he loved his job. He just tried to make a difference with the store while he was working there."

His sister, Jacinta Dallman, added, "He was the kind of guy when you walked in the store he would remember who you were." Many of Diersen's relatives, including his wife, worked for Hy-Vee, said Chris Friesleben, a Hy-Vee spokeswoman. His death "has really affected a lot of people," Friesleben said.