Diane Elizabeth Wartner

Diane Wartner, age 77, of Marshall and formerly of Russell, Minnesota, died peacefully on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at her home with family at her side. Funeral Services are 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 29, 2024, at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Following a reception, interment will be at 2:00 p.m. in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Tyler, Minnesota. Visitation will be held two hours prior to her celebration, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall.

Diane Elizabeth Wartner was born on December 8, 1946, to Henry and Lucille (Hansen) Ohl in Tyler, Minnesota. She was baptized on January 12, 1947, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Arco, Minnesota, and received her confirmation on September 13, 1959, at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler. Diane grew up in the rural Tyler area, graduating from Tyler Public School in 1964. 

On October 23, 1965, Diane was united in marriage to Valgene “Val” Wartner at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler. The couple began their married life in Marshall, Minnesota. She was employed at the USDA Lyon County ASCS Office from 1964 to 1972. In August of 1967, the couple moved to Russell, Minnesota, where they would raise their family and live over the next 40-some years. During their time in Russell, Diane worked as a bookkeeper for both the Southwestern Minnesota Dairy Association (six years) and the Lynd Public School (two years). From 1990 to 1995, she worked as a clerical and printing assistant with Schwan’s Sales Enterprise. Diane continued working as a bookkeeper over the next 17 years with employment at Southwest Wholesale, Northern Business Products, and HyVee Floral. 

On July 10, 2008, Valgene, her husband of almost 43 years, unexpectedly passed away. A few years later Diane retired in 2012. Then in April of 2017, she moved back to Marshall. Diane attended Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. During their time in Russell, Diane was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she was involved in various church ministries. Diane was a member of ladies' groups, she served as treasurer of the church council, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School. She continued her church involvement at Living Word, again with the ladies' groups and serving on various church committees. 

Her faith was very important to her - Diane was a volunteer with Lutheran Brotherhood as an officer for 30 years and was active with Thrivent Financial. She also loved being outdoors and enjoyed tending to her lawn and garden, walking, reading, and working on embroidery for her children and grandchildren. Family was a priority for Diane, and she looked forward to annual family trips and attending grandchildren’s events.

Diane died under the care of Hospice on Sunday, November 24, 2024, in Marshall, Minnesota. She was just 2 weeks from her 78th birthday. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her three children, Tim (Becky) Wartner of Sioux Falls, SD, Jeff (MaryJo) Wartner of Milroy, Michelle (Shaun) Miller of Worthington; seven grandchildren, Kayla, Bailey, Brandon, Mackenzie, Shaelyn, Brett, Jolsie; one great-grandchild, Oliver; siblings, Carolyn Venekamp of Brookings SD, Cynthia (Mike) Venekamp of Sioux Falls; sister-in-law, Karen Wartner; brother-in-law, Wayne (Marlene) Wartner; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Diane was preceded in death by her husband, Valgene; parents, Henry and Lucille Ohl; brother, Allen Ohl; grandparents; parents-in-law, Virgil and Mildred Wartner; and brothers-in-law, Ronald Wartner and Doug Venekamp.