Cossette Dieterich

In the early morning hours of March 27, 2015, angels surrounded her, as Cossette (Schrack) Dieterich passed from this life, and was guided to her Heavenly home with her Lord and Savior. She was born January 26, 1921, to Glenn and Margaret (Felsing) Schrack, in Minneapolis, MN. A sweet and humble lady, Cossette felt a sense of duty to her country and joined the U.S. Navy (WAVES). During WWII, she served from 1942 to1945 as an Aviation Gunnery Instructor at Pensacola NAS FL, and as a permanent Assistant Officer Of the Day at Deland NAS FL. Due to her mother’s declining health, Cossette (Coz, as she was known to family and close friends) moved with her folks to Albuquerque, NM in 1951. Over the next few years, she worked for Sandia Corporation and Barbers Food Stores as a bookkeeper. In 1952 she met Roger Dieterich, the love of her life. They married in 1953 and began their 60-year life together, here in Albuquerque, until he passed in 2013. She loved music and was an accomplished artist in pastel painting and ceramics instruction, but caring for her family was paramount in her life. Coz was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Roger Dieterich, Sr., and her parents. She is survived by her son, Roger Dieterich, Jr., and by daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Michael Murtagh of Albuquerque. She is also survived by her younger sister, Beverly Schmeltzer of Albuquerque and by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Wick, of Dubuque, IA. Other survivors include her nine grandchildren, Roger Dieterich, III, Caroline (Reid) Grandchamp, William Dieterich, Harrison Dieterich, Wesley Dieterich, Jillian Dieterich, Melissa (Jared) McManus, Sarah (Rick) Murphy, and Daniel (Rachel) Murtagh, and eight great-grandchildren, Natalie, Amelia, & Julianne Grandchamp, Ryan & Kaylie McManus, Roryn Murphy, and Elizabeth and Luke Murtagh. Cossette was extremely fond of her loving nieces and nephews, Laury Cloud, Kit Taylor, Jeff Wells and Kurt Schmeltzer. Peggy wishes to extend her deepest appreciation to caregiver, Ann Begay, as well as the Ambercare Hospice team of Sarah Holland, Beckie, Kristen, and Dr. Samuel Goldman, for the love and extraordinary care they all provided Cossette and the support for Peggy during the past 16 months. And to Mike Murtagh, for his very special love for Cossette and for being a patient, caring husband to her daughter through these many years - a most grateful, THANK YOU! A Memorial Service to honor Cossette will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015, 2:00 p.m., at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd NE, with Dr. John Kees presiding. Inurnment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque. For anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Cossette’s name, we recommend the Alzheimer’s Association, 9500 Montgomery NE, Suite 121, Albuquerque, NM 87111. FRENCH – Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400

Cossette Dieterich

January 26, 1921 - March 27, 2015