After the late Fred Diehl died on Sept. 12, Osceola Mayor Thomas Kedley wanted to find a way to honor the former Osceola mayor and carry on his legacy.
Kedley initially planned to have Osceola’s police officers and firefighters present at Diehl’s funeral with their police cruisers and fire engines.
“I felt like that wasn’t enough. Fred was Osceola for 18 years. He gave his sweat and tears for this community, did a lot to progress it forward and did a lot to make it the beginning stages of the hub of central Iowa,” Kedley said.
Then, Kedley realized that as mayor, he has the power to make holidays within city limits.
Kedley proclaimed Aug. 24 – Diehl’s birthday – as Mayor Diehl Day within Osceola city limits.
After speaking with Diehl’s wife, Ann, Kedley learned Diehl enjoyed attending baseball games on his birthday and also enjoyed public service.
“I figured why not make an Osceola holiday and call it Mayor Diehl Day?” Kedley said. “On that day, you are supposed to go out and do public service within Osceola city limits or go to a baseball game or play baseball. Anything that celebrates America’s pastime or making your community better is what we want you do that day.”
Osceola City Administrator/Clerk Ty Wheeler said it is a fitting way to honor Diehl for his 18 years of service to the city as mayor.
“He was a champion of Osceola,” Wheeler said. “He dedicated a lot of years to public service. I think it’s a great tribute.”
One of Diehl’s lasting impacts on Osceola was the work he did to pave more than 100 city blocks.
“Fred changed this city forever with the amount of infrastructure, specifically paved roads, that he pushed to see built,” Wheeler said. “The community and how it looks now versus 25 years ago is vastly different because of him. It’s going to be like that forever now.”
It’s that legacy Kedley hopes to preserve with the citywide holiday in Diehl’s honor.
“Fred was one of the greater leaders we’ve had in Osceola,” Kedley said. “Fred was a single continuity. We were trying to symbolize Fred and his devotion to the city. That’s something we want to honor and instill in all of our citizens is keep them thinking about leadership and public pride.”