Ada Jane Diekelman, 78

Ada Jane Diekelman, 78, of Plover passed away Thursday Jan. 28 at the Portage County Health Care Center in Stevens Point, Wis.
Ada Jane (AJ) was born March 18, 1937 in Rockford, Ill., the daughter of David and Ruby (Stearns) Daer.
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics from Wheaton College, and her Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University.
AJ started teaching in the Chicago Suburbs where she met her future husband.
Ada Jane married Donald Diekelman on Oct. 16, 1960 at the First Baptist Church in Belvidere, Ill.
AJ taught mathematics for over 40 years. She taught from sixth grade through the university level in Illinois and Wisconsin. She spent the majority of her earlier teaching years at Orangeville High School (Orangeville, Ill.).
During her tenure, she received the T.E. Rine Award, which recognizes outstanding math teachers. She continued her teaching career at the university level, first at UW-River Falls, then UW-Stout, and finally UW-Stevens Point.
AJ was a mathematics lecturer at UWSP for nine years before retiring in 2006. She was passionate about education and her students.
After all these years, she still received letters from former students on her impact as a teacher.
Ada Jane’s grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved when her grandkids would visit, and enjoyed attending their school and sporting events. AJ loved doing puzzles, playing computer games, reading, cross-stitching, and traveling. She was an avid traveler and traveled the world with her husband Don.
She was a member of Woodlands Church, enjoyed volunteering with Operation Bootstrap as well as participating in Bible Study groups.
Ada Jane is survived by her three children: Debbie Diekelman, Plover; Adam Diekelman, Chicago; David (Suzanne) Diekelman, Stevens Point, Wis. and grandchildren: Bob, George, Joe, Gigi, and Jack.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, and their daughter Dawn.
Ada Jane’s family wishes to thank all those who cared for her in the last year especially the staff at the Portage County Home.
Funeral services for Ada Jane were held in Stevens Point. AJ will be laid to rest next to her husband Don in Belvidere Cemetery (Belvidere, Ill.). A memorial will be established in her name in lieu of flowers to Woodlands Church.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com.