Barbara Dieckgraeff

Mar 30, 1936 -

Oct 10, 2025

Longtime Seward, Alaska, resident Barbara Jean Dieckgraeff, 89, died peacefully on Oct. 10, 2025, at her residence in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by family.

Barbara was born on March 30, 1936, in Salina, Kan., to Ralph and Elsie (Stout) Miller, the third of four children. When she was 5, Barbara moved with her family to Oregon, and she graduated from Mohawk High School in Marcola. Barbara married Frank Dieckgraeff on July 21, 1955, in Eugene, Ore. They had four children.

Barbara and Frank moved their family to Seward in 1965, where Barbara became very involved in the community. She frequently volunteered at Seward schools, the Seward Library and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, among others. After chopping untold pounds of cabbage for coleslaw, you could always find Barbara working the till at the church's annual 4th of July BBQ Chicken fundraiser. She was an avid reader, with 1,183 books on her Kindle at last count, and she passed on her enthusiasm to her family. Often at family gatherings she could be found with a couple of grandkids or great-grandkids on her lap, reading one of her favorite books to a rapt audience. Genealogy was also an interest of hers and she co-founded the Seward Genealogical Society. Through her own family research, she connected and corresponded with many relatives throughout her later years. Barbara began working for Marathon Fuel as a bookkeeper in the late 1960s. In addition, in 1970, she began keeping the books for her husband's new repair business. Three years later, Frank and Barbara co-founded Metco Redi-Mix, which became Metco Inc. Barbara managed the accounting for both family businesses while also working at Marathon. As Metco grew, Barbara's role expanded and she was an integral part of Metco's success. For the first 14 years she managed Metco's financial operations from their home until the business moved into its own office. She often joked that "it was wonderful to finally have an office without a snack bar." After Frank's death in 2009, Barbara along with their youngest son, David, continued to operate Metco, until they sold the business in 2019. Seward was definitely home to Barbara. She loved the view of Mt. Alice and the harbor from her windows. She enjoyed watching the cruise ships and the activity at the docks. Barbara often hosted family in Seward and loved their visits. She liked touring visitors around town and often sent the grandkids, and later great-grandkids, to the SeaLife Center or on a Kenai Fjords trip. They fondly remember the creative birthday cakes she baked, and everyone loved her clam dip. Early in 2020, Barbara came to Anchorage to be closer to medical care. She lived with her daughter Tammy until she moved across town to Aspen Creek Senior Living. There she made many friends, helped reestablish their book club and was a familiar presence at weekly Bible study and Mass. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Elsie; husband of 54 years, Frank; brother, William; and sister, DellaMae. She is survived by her sister, Wanda Anderson, who was her traveling buddy; children and their spouses, Daniel Dieckgraeff (Denise Thanepohn), Steven Dieckgraeff, David Dieckgraeff (Shirley Dieckgraeff) and Tammy Dieckgraeff (Stan Thompson); 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Barbara's ashes will be placed next to Frank's in the Seward Veteran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Seward Community Foundation, Barbara and Frank Dieckgraeff Memorial Fund for Seward Seniors, P.O. Box 933, Seward, AK 99664.