Julius”J.D.” Diers, 35, of Fairfield, IA passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at the Jefferson County Health Care Center.
As were his wishes cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at the Word of Life Lutheran Church in Fairfield with Pastor Jason Christensen officiating. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026 at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that memorials be directed to the J.D. Diers Memorial in support of his two young boys. They may be left at the funeral home or mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
J.D. (Julius Donald) Diers was born on March 20th, 1991, in Ottumwa, Iowa to Larry and Terri (Hartman) Diers. He was named after his grandfathers, Julius Diers and Donald Hartman. From the time he was young, J.D. knew he was meant to be a farmer. He loved the outdoors, nature, and the land. He spent his childhood helping on the family farm and driving equipment before his feet could reach the pedals. Guided by the example of his father and grandfather, he lived by the belief that “anything worth doing, was worth doing right.” J.D. did not know a stranger and cultivated a group of close-knit friends and continued to accumulate them throughout his life. In 2005 he met his lifelong partner, Molly Brokken. J.D. and Molly shared a love for life’s simple joys and a deep commitment to the legacy they were building together. He participated in 4-H and FFA throughout school, graduating from Fairfield High School in 2009. J.D. went on to obtain an AAS degree in Agriculture Production from Kirkwood College in 2011. Upon graduating J.D. returned to the family’s Century Farm and 3rd generation dozing operation. Working and learning alongside his father, J.D. helped to revitalize and grow the family cattle herd and introduced new techniques to the farm. Despite the tremendous personal loss of his father in 2022, J.D. persevered in carrying on the family farm with strength and determination. He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, riding motorcycles and golf. He always loved to be outside. He appreciated life’s simple joys: the first cup of coffee in the morning, working dirt when conditions were just right, helping a newborn calf find its footing and making hay under an open sky, but above all making memories with his boys.
J.D. is survived by his life partner Molly, their sons Jameson (4) and Wendell (1), his mother, Terri Diers; sister, Dana (Bill) Pelzer and nephew Rory Julius Pelzer of Cedarburg WI; his bonus sister, Katy (Brokken) Pool and nephew, Lucas Pool of Fairfield, godparents Dan and Carolyn Schlicher of Brighton; and close family friend Terry Klein of Fairfield, along with many extended family members and friends who loved him deeply. He was preceded in death by his father, Larry Diers; his dear friend, Kyle Longerbeam; his grandparents, Erma and Donald Hartman and Julius and Margaret Diers. J.D. will be remembered by those who had the pleasure of knowing him for his strong work ethic, firm hugs, warm smile, sense of humor, and grounded spirit.
