Obit: Gurney, Diane Mary #2 (1949 - 2018)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gurney, Schmidt, Becker, Steele, Werner, Schenk, McManus, Schoengarth, Noehring, Oldham, Krueger

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/19/2018

Gurney, Diane Mary (19 May 1949 – 16 December 2018)

Diane Mary Gurney, age 69, of Neillsville, passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield.

In keeping with Diane’s requests, her husband and children are inviting family and friends for a Memorial Service that truly celebrates her life to be held on Friday, December 21, 2018 at the American Legion Hall in Neillsville at 11 A.M. with Rev. Mark Krueger officiating with a luncheon to follow. A time of visiting and sharing memories will take place on Friday at the American Legion Hall in Neillsville from 9 A.M. until the time of service. The honor of pallbearers will go to Kevin McManus, Scott Noehring, Alan Schoengarth, Jeff Gurney and Dennis Becker.

Diane was born on May 19, 1949 to Clarence and Rosalie (Schmidt) Becker in Neillsville. She attended St. Mary’s Elementary and graduated from Neillsville High School. On May 25, 1968 she was united in marriage to Lewis Gurney in Neillsville. Lewis and Diane resided in rural Neillsville. Diane’s accomplishments were vast with her most notable being a caregiver always, a mother, a wife and a friend. She touched the lives of everyone she connected with and asked for nothing in return. She was chosen Neillsville’s Mother of the Year. She was a mentor as a girl scout leader and a youth softball coach. She was the first coach to take her “girls” through an undefeated season at no one’s expense. Diane loved playing cribbage with her many, many good friends and she achieved bronze, silver and life master awards and also won club champion. She also spearheaded efforts to provide accommodations for persons with disabilities at cribbage tournaments nationwide and with this her legacy of compassion and caregiving will live on. Diane was also known for her love of animals, birds, flowers, reading, and genealogy. She was in her words a “Domestic Goddess”, most notably with a zest for cooking and baking. Her sparkling personality, uncanny sense of humor and kind spirit will be deeply missed by all. Rest in peace my love.

Diane is survived by her husband, Lewis of Neillsville; her children: Shane (Melissa) Gurney, Shari (Brian) Steele, Lance (Char) Gurney, all of Eau Claire and Janelle (Jim) Werner of Sun Prairie; her grandchildren: Cole, Gage, Kaitlyn, Dalton, Trey, Devan, Tyler, Lucas and Reece; her siblings: Beverly (Walter) Schenk of Avon Park, FL, Carol McManus of Lombard, IL, Don (Lorna) Becker of Greenfield, Lyn (Mark) Schoengarth of Neillsville, Mary (Michael) Noehring of Lakeville, MN and Scott (Barb) Becker of Neillsville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Rosalie Becker, and her in-laws George and Elma Gurney, Jerome Gurney, Lucille Oldham, Eugene Gurney and Kevin McManus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are being accepted in Diane’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, House of the Dove Kitchen, and/or Clark County Humane Society.

Her arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home–Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com  to share thoughts and condolences.