Patrick "Pat" Diederich

Patrick “Pat” Diederich, 70, of Kaukauna died unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 4th from natural causes.

Pat was born on May 9, 1955 to the late Joseph and Carole (Huhn) Diederich of Sherwood, WI. He was raised in the small village on top of the hill across from the post office, riding horses, participating in scouts, and serving as an altar boy at St. Johns Parish. He’d remained lifelong friends with many of his peers from the close-knit community, and had many cherished stories from his upbringing.

After graduating from Kaukauna High School in 1973, he became a certified welder through FVTC. This led to his career-long employment with Pierce Manufacturing where he started out building firetrucks, and worked his way up into the highly technical role of selling firetrucks internationally.

On November 27, 1976 he married the love of his life, Corliss (Cork) Thon. They loved to travel and go on road trips together. Their marriage was full of adventure, including living abroad in Saudi Arabia in 1978-79 for Pat’s work. While there, their first child, Amber, was born.

Upon returning, Pat built their family home on Kuepper Rd in the town of Harrison, finishing just before the birth of their second child, Ross, in 1981. While they were living there, Pat jointed the Harrison #2 volunteer fire department and got a grant to start their first responder program.  They lived there until 1995 when they moved to Kaukauna for the next 30 years.

Pat had a love for vehicles and was an avid hunter. He loved sharing these passions with family and friends. In 1994, he built a hunting cabin in the Nicolet National Forest in Fence, WI, and he was known for having an open invitation to join in the fun. He was looking forward to deer camp 2025, and he had recently taken his grandson, Jake, through hunter’s safety and youth hunt.

He lived a very full life creating wonderful memories with his loved ones.

He is survived by his son Ross and his wife, Kate, along with his beloved grandchildren Jacob and Vivian; His sister Becky (Wayne) Schaefer, and their children Candie (Vishnu) and Shane (Emily); his many in-laws; and many friends who are like family.

Pat was preceded in death by his wife Cork (2022), daughter Amber Jo (2000), his parents, and infant brother Matthew.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home Kaukauna Location, 2401 Fieldcrest Drive. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Interment will be in Holy Angels Cemetery, Darboy.