Karl Benjamin Diegelmann died May 9 at his home in Alexandria after a brief illness and 91 years of life.

Karl was born February 8, 1935, in Washington, D.C. His childhood was spent playing among the historic buildings in the heart of the city and fishing for crabs in the local waters along the Chesapeake Bay. He became a master plumber and house builder, and he moved to the Alexandria area in the 1970s during the construction of Timber Trails. For the last 20 years of his career, he served as the Mechanical Supervisor for Rapides Hospital.

Karl and his wife, Norene, loved their weekends at “The Camp,” which Karl built at Nantachie Lake — and which was generously opened for decades of family gatherings and visits from grandchildren. He cultivated an appreciation for what it means to be in nature, teaching them to fish, ordering dirt piles for the kids, and preparing bonfires to light the songs, stories, and jokes of the night. The lake property was legendary for Karl’s prolific garden and the golden view from the upstairs balcony.

Karl liked to say that he could fix anything except a broken heart and the crack of dawn, and a dinner party wasn’t complete until he left them all laughing with a mischievous toast or limerick.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Norene Diegelmann, and his three children: Sheri Ruff (George) and Carla O’Gwinn (Tim) of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Gregory Diegelmann of Mount Airy, Maryland, as well as his sister, Marion Judy of Hartford, Connecticut.

He also leaves behind his five stepchildren: Dan Diefenderfer (Terry), Lori Kees (Lynn), Joanie Curry (Marty), Jill Abadie (Chris), and Chris Diefenderfer, as well as 49 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Karl cherished the long-time friendship of his first and best friend in Alexandria, Richard Meyer.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Karl Diegelmann will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, with Rev. John Brocato officiating. Interment will follow at Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 pm.

Memorials in Karl’s honor can be made to The Arc Rapides, 1700 Ashley Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71301.