Ina Mae Diederich, 95, of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, passed away Sunday, May 21st, 2023 at Life Care Center, VNA Hospice, Valparaiso, IN.

 

She was born June 30th, 1927 in Hanna, Indiana, the daughter of Grant Hunsley and Ada (Knope) Hunsley.

 

A lifelong resident of the area, Ina Mae graduated from La Porte High School in 1945 and went on to receive her cosmetology license, working as a beautician for Virginia Angel in La Porte. On June 11th, 1949, in La Porte, Ina Mae married the love of her life, Lawrence Diederich, who passed away September 1st, 1986 in South Bend. After Lawrence retired, she went back to work at 1st National Bank in the Accounting Department. Ina Mae was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church of La Porte and was involved in the Ladies Circle. She was active in the La Porte Fairgrounds’ Pioneer Land, dressing in traditional pioneer-times’ costumes and helping her brother Richard with handmade rug weaving. Ina Mae was also a crafter for the La Porte County Fair 4H exhibits. She also received family appreciation for making miniature boxes out of Christmas cards that family members received with their Christmas and birthday gifts. Her hands were never idle, as she was always coming up with craft ideas to create or you might see her making a quilt, baking the "best pie crust in the world" or making and decorating hundreds of Christmas cookies with her sister, Doris, which often included nieces and great-nieces or nephews. What Ina Mae cherished the most, though, was her family; especially all of her nieces and nephews as well as the next generation of children that came along.

 

She is survived by her sister, Shirley (Hunsley) Toneff of Hobart, IN; 10 treasured nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

 

Ina Mae was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lawrence; brother, Richard Hunsley, sisters, Doris (Hunsley) Buell and, Grace (Hunsley) Jenkins.

 

Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Avenue, La Porte, IN where the family will receive family and friends on Saturday, May 27th, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with The Reverend John Albers, St John's Lutheran Church, officiating.  Private interment of cremated remains will be held at the Hanna Cemetery in Hanna, Indiana.

 

Memorial contributions in Ina Mae’s name may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or www.stjude.org.

 

Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com