Diane Lydia Francis Piane, 87, passed away on January 16, 2025, leaving a legacy of kindness, resilience, and countless cherished memories for her family and friends.
Born in Plentywood, MT on August 27, 1937 to Arnold M. Francis and Lydia Johansen, Diane and her identical twin sister, Donna, grew up in Medicine Lake with their four other siblings. In their youth, the twins often found delight in impersonating each other with their friends, a playful display of their close bond. Tragically, their mother passed away a few years later, a loss which shaped Diane’s unwavering strength and compassion. Her humble beginnings in a close-knit rural community instilled her values of hard work, determination, and a deep appreciation for her family, friends, and connection.
At just 17 years old, she married her first husband, Willard, and began building a beautiful family, raising their five children; Cynthia Landsrud, Cheryl Conway, Ken Landsrud, Connie Doornek, and Karen Samuels. Most of her time was split between working two or three jobs, taking care of the household, and tending to her children. Despite her full schedule, Diane loved to play bingo, cards, make her own clothes, and go out dancing with her friends. She was the light that made every celebration feel special.
Whether she was tirelessly waiting on tables at the Sweet Shoppe or the Elks Club, walking around town with her friend, Evonne, cooking for her grandchildren, or tending to her flower beds, Diane always kept on the move and giving to others. It wasn’t until later in her life that Diane met her true love, Joe Piane, whose kindness and companionship brought peace to her busy life. Though their time together was tragically cut short, Diane carried the love they shared in her heart and nurtured the lives around her with warmth and devotion.
Diane was a safe place for her family - a source of wisdom, humor, comfort, and unfaltering love. She had an extraordinary way of speaking without words, showing care in her actions, making others laugh, and uplifting those around her. Her home was the hub of family life and joy, filled with the sounds of music, cartoons, and the laughs of children. Though, one always knew to not drink her diet cokes, eat her good cheese, or to leave a mess, especially in her kitchen.
She is remembered as a woman of strength, generosity, and grace. Diane is reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Joe Piane, along with her parents, her siblings Gail, Derald, Donna, Doris and Mavy, her daughter Cheryl Conway, her grandsons, Noah Landsrud and Travis Fowler.
Diane is survived by her children, her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren, and her adopted animals Minnie and Pumpkin.
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