DIDESCH, Alois

Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=allthefamily&id=I10638

c.1936 Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

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DIDESCH, Alois M. (Dubuque, IA, May 4, 1899--Dubuque, IA, Jan. 16, 1954). Didesch, a graduate of ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL in 1915, was also a graduate of the Hohshuh-Carpenter College of Embalming in St. Louis, Missouri. He returned to Dubuque where he joined his father-in-law John A. Voelker in the funeral business. He took over the firm in 1925 upon the death of John C. Voelker, his brother-in-law who had assumed control of the company upon the death of his father. The firm was then located at 1487 Central Avenue. He continued the business until 1929 before purchasing the E. B. Piekenbrock home at 1300 Main. This was converted into an up-to-date funeral home.

For fifteen years, Didesch served as chairman, secretary and member of the Iowa Board of Embalmer Examiners. He was first appointed to the position in July, 1934 by Governor Clyde Herring. This was followed by appointments from Governors Kraschel, Wilson, Hickenlooper and Blue. Didesch was elected president of the National Conference of Funeral Examining Board of the United States in 1941. At the time of his death, he was a member of the advisory board. Didesch also served as director and chairperson of the Examinations and Accreditations Committee. In 1951 and again in 1953 he was president of the Iowa Funeral Directors and Embalmers' Association. Didesch was a former president of the Northeast Iowa Funeral Directors Association, member and former committeeman of the National Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, and a member of the National Selected Morticians.

Didesch was elected Dubuque County Coroner in 1928 and held the office until 1934. He was a member of the Dubuque County Democrat Central Committee and served on the Dubuque Library Board of Directors.

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Source:

"In Profession of Undertaking Here Since 1914," The Telegraph-Herald, May 17, 1936, p. 17