Rosemary "Rose" Diehl

Rosemary “Rose” Diehl passed away at age 67 on March 29, 2025 in Topeka, KS. Rose was born on April 12, 1957 in LaCrosse, KS, daughter of Catherine “Arline” (Ingraham) Rues and Albert “Al” Rues. Rose grew up in McCracken, KS, graduating from McCracken High School in 1975. Rose attended Kansas State University as well as Washburn University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Communication Arts in December of 1980. Rose went on to a stunning career in media for almost thirty years as a popular on-air personality and music director at KMAJ-FM in Topeka. She spent the last five years working for the American Home Life Insurance Company where her job was to call and talk to customers on the phone, a job she thoroughly enjoyed.

Rose was united in marriage with Les E. Diehl on October 6th, 1995 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka, KS. They made their home in Topeka and spent much of their time at their weekend home in McCracken.

Rose was involved in multiple civic organizations in Topeka as well as in her home town of McCracken. Rose and Les always shared their home with beloved rescue dogs and from that love, she served as a longtime member on the Board of Directors for The Helping Hands Humane Society in Topeka. Rose devoted countless hours to planning and supporting events in both Topeka and her hometown. She was a board member of the McCracken Public Library and Historical Society. Rose was also heavily involved with numerous McCracken civic improvement projects and fund-raisers. This year, Rose, being a proud McCracken High “Mustang,” was eagerly planning festivities in her own home with her classmates to commemorate their 50th reunion.

To say Rose knew no strangers is not the cliché phrase it is for many others—no, for Rose that was the essence of her existence. She grew up in the small town of McCracken, but instead of moving on to a larger geographical area, leaving behind friends, like so many do, Rose simply enlarged her circle. Rose had that loving heart that just kept on accommodating greater and greater numbers of loved ones. She was always making room for one more cherished friend (human and animal). Through her decades in radio she was even able to exponentially expand that treasured circle, with so many knowing and loving her from that medium.

It's an incredibly rare person who doesn't hit a capacity wall in terms of friends and loved ones—but Rose never did. To her last days, she kept embracing and including anyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Those who went out in public with Rose could directly witness how simply seeing Rose was enough to bring about genuine joy to those who knew her. Rose was so loved, and it didn't stop at seeing her, just hearing her voice from a distance was enough to draw in her many enamored friends, unable to resist the magnetic pull of Rose's kindness. It seems like that type of genuine interest in others is impossible to fake, and the authenticity of Rose's concern for all was what drew so many to her. It would be impossible to calculate how many people had their lives brightened and made more joyous through their contact with Rose, and that's a life well lived.

Rose is survived by her husband Les Diehl of Topeka, as well as her five siblings, Alicia Rues (Leigh Barrett) Topeka, KS, Tim Rues (Kathleen Wallace) New Orleans, LA, Tom Rues, Concord, NH, Cathy Casey (Ron Casey) McCracken, KS and Tony Rues (Tomi Rues) LaCrosse, KS and brother in laws, Jeff Diehl (Rob Keim) Arroyo Grande, CA and Scott Diehl (Sally Diehl) Eugene, OR. Nieces and nephews include Celeste Pavlich, Maddie Bayer, Lily Rues, Valerie Peine, John Casey, Alex Casey, Catherine Casey, Shelby Bowers, Emma Rues, Kate Rues, Will Rues, Stuart Diehl and Spencer Diehl and grandnieces and grandnephew, Margot Bayer, Alexis Pavlich, Klara Diehl and Eamon Diehl.

Her family will greet friends and relatives from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00am on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Mater Dei Catholic Church, 1114 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604. For those who would wish to attend, a reception will take place in the Parish Hall. In her honor, memorial contributions can be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society.

To share a memory of Rosemary or leave a special message for her family, visit the guestbook below.