Businessman, politician Dieleman dies at 98

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 | 9:07 a.m.

What serving the community meant to crane and rig operator Jake Dieleman was not necessarily being the main cog, but just being a part of the machinery.

A native of the Netherlands who became a U.S. citizen in 1929, Dieleman served in the Nevada Assembly and on the Boulder City Council.

"My father enjoyed being an integral part of the process," said Bob Dieleman. "For instance, he helped the Las Vegas Boys and Girls Clubs, not as an officer, but as just a person offering assistance. That he felt was the true American spirt."

Jake W. Dieleman, who worked on the construction of Hoover Dam as a high scaler and crane operator and was the longtime owner of Jake's Crane & Rigging, died Nov. 4 in Kanarraville, Utah. He was 98 and a resident of Kanarraville for 21 years.

There will be no services for Dieleman, a Boulder City resident from 1931 to 1973.

Bob Dieleman, president of Jake's Crane & Rigging, which is in its 56th year of local operation, said his father was an opinionated man who as a political leader did not always flow with the popular tide.

"He was out of sync with those who felt Boulder City should remain a small, quiet community," Dieleman said, referring to the city's anti-growth issues. "He just felt it was a great place to live and a great place to raise a family, and he believed others should have the opportunity to live there."

Born Feb. 21, 1904, in Axel, Holland, Dieleman emigrated to Canada in 1921. After working in New England as a rigger operator, he moved to Southern Nevada to help build Hoover Dam.

A Democrat, Dieleman was elected to the Assembly in 1958 and served two terms. He was appointed in January 1966 to fill an unexpired term on the Boulder City Council.

Dieleman was past president of the Builders Exchange, a local contractors association; a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers; and a lifetime gold card member of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

Dieleman long was a member of Grace Community Church, the Boulder City Elks, the Boulder City Horseman's Association and the Boulder City Mounted Posse.

In addition to Bob, Dieleman is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth, of Kanarraville; sons Roger Dieleman of Las Vegas and Richard Dieleman of Boulder City; daughter Kathie Dieleman Coon of New Harmony, Utah; brother W.P. Dieleman of Kanarraville; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.