Genevieve Bertha Diels, age 93, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 29, 2026 at Columbus Health and Rehab surrounded by family. She was born on July 1, 1932 to Walter and Bertha (Yohn) Oehlert in Fort Atkinson, WI.

Gen graduated from Rio High School in 1951 and began working at the local shoe factory before meeting Leonhard Diels, the man she would spend the next 67 years with.  They were united in marriage on June 6, 1959 and began their life together in Santa Ana, California. During the 5 years they lived there, they welcomed their four children. In 1966 they returned to Columbus to be near family, where they built a lifetime of cherished memories.

Throughout the years, Gen worked at Stokely's Canning Company, the Columbus Care Center, American Packaging and Fireman's Tavern. She had a strong work ethic and was dedicated in every role she held. She was also a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church.

Fondly referred to as Jenny Poo, she was a devoted Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan, she rarely missed a game cheering them on. Staff from the Rehab Center frequently stopped in her room to find out what station the game was on or for an update on the score.

She looked forward to playing BINGO on Monday and Friday afternoons. She also enjoyed a spirited game of euchre or showing you what it means to be the Queen of Yahtzee. Always the first one to get a Yahtzee and made it look so easy getting a large straight in just one roll. Gen loved elephants and had a wonderful collection of elephant themed decorations. She loved traveling to Hawaii which is where her crush for Don Ho began. Gen and Len also took a trip of a lifetime to Alaska.

Genevieve is survived by her husband Leonhard of Columbus; children Kristie Merrihew (Terry Dushack) of Columbus, Steven Diels of Columbus, Andy (Sultan) Diels of Columbus, Brenda (Greg) Simonis of Monona; 8 grandchildren; Shawn (Beth) Merrihew of Clarksville, TN, Kaycie (Brandon) Merrihew of Roswell, GA, Chelsea (Nick) Warren of Rockville, MD, Jordan (Rebecca) Her-Simonis of Cottage Grove, Christopher Diels (Columbus), Colleen Diels (Columbus), Oguz Alp Tokoglu of Germany and Bahadir Tokoglu of Turkey; 2 great grandsons; Mason and Luke Merrihew of Clarksville, TN; sister Beverly MacDonald of Taylorsville, UT; and many nieces and nephews. As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she will be dearly missed.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Arnold Oehlert, Duewaine Oehlert, Eugene Oehlert; sisters Phyllis Witthun and Betty Oehlert.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church, Columbus. Rev. Tim Schwartz will officiate. A lunch will be served in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Columbus Health and Rehab Center and Generations Hospice for her care.

We encourage you to share your online condolences with Genevieve's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com