Obituary of Diane Elaine Anderson

Diane passed away on October 16, 2021 with her daughters by her side after a long struggle with lung issues.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents Wesley and Noelle Anderson, brother Dean Anderson, sister Sandra Palo, and special friend Hank Martineau.

She is survived by her daughters Angel Mayo and Melinda Thibault, her sisters Lynn Mertes, Leslie Anderson and Sherri Ohnstad (Brian), her grandchildren Jessica Christensen, Amanda Whaley, Scottie Fletcher and Elaine Ronning (Adam), her great grandchildren Victoria, Joseph, Winnie, Lydia, Violet and Raegan, many nieces, nephews, extended family, special family friend Patti Anderson, and her three loyal dogs Nellie, Annie and Molly.

Diane worked for the State of Minnesota for over 30 years before she retired. She was busier after retirement than she was when she worked!

Diane had many passions in life and first and foremost were her family. She loved to collect things including (but not limited to) crystal figurines, trinket boxes, clocks, house cookie jars, porcelain dolls, teddy bears, and blue dishes and glassware. She loved to be outdoors working in her yard and gardens, and they always looked impeccable. She had a knack for decorating and often named her rooms with a theme. She loved to read. At one time, she had well over 300 books she had read and had a whole room dedicated to her library. She continued to read online when technology took over, but she still loved holding a book in her hand. She loved music and dancing. She loved being around people and socializing. She was a go-getter and nothing, including debilitating lung issues, would stop her from doing what she loved.

We would like to thank the Essentia Health Hospice program for helping her stay in her home with her dogs as long as she possibly could. We would also like to thank the Essentia 6 West nurses for helping to make her as comfortable as possible in her last days and for showing us such compassion in our darkest days. We would also like to thank her neighbor, Jeff, who did so much to help her with things she could no longer do.

Finally, we would like to thank all of our friends and family for the strength and love they sent us during this difficult time.

Services to be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Avenue, Duluth, MN 55807 on Sunday, October 24, 2021. Visitation at 2:00 PM, services at 3:00 PM and a light meal to follow. (Masks are required)