Diane Schwanke

Diane Schwanke was born August 6, 1938, the daughter of Emil and Margaret (Naylor) Smith in Windom, MN. She attended and graduated from Windom High School. Merlin and Diane met at the Mileage Cafe in Windom where Diane was working and were united in marriage on December 12, 1959. In 1962, the couple moved to a farm near Sanborn and Diane worked for Central Publications. She was a member of Germantown United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School, and was a current member of United Methodist Church in Sanborn. She was active in the Garden Club, enjoyed writing letters to keep in touch with family and friends, playing cards and games, especially UNO, and also sewing and quilting. She also liked to bake and always had something for Merlin's sweet tooth. Diane loved the dogs they cared for, especially Rover, and also greatly enjoyed spending time and visits with her grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Since moving to the Maples, then St. John Lutheran Home, she was very busy, never in her room, enjoyed having company, playing balloon volleyball, participant in the bell choir, doing crossword puzzles, doing word finds and any other activity that was going on. Diane is survived by her son - Tim and wife Jan Schwanke of Springfield; daughter - Beth and fianc Steve Hanten of Sioux Falls; 4 grandchildren - Jeremy, Krystal, Tiffany and McKensie; brothers - Herb and wife Kathleen Smith of Circle Pines, MN, and Wayne Smith of Claremont, Florida; and sister - Barb and husband Bob Buys of Hopkins, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband - Merlin in 2009, brother - Keith and sister - Lila Mae.