Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Diane Lunde Obituary
Diane Lee Lunde was born in Mason City, Iowa, on Oct. 19, 1946, and passed away in Green Bay, Wis., July 12, 2011. She was born to loving parents, Glenn Francis Reinhart and Muriel Blanche (Smith) Reinhart who both preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Harlan Lunde, Maribel; daughter, Dawn Chavez; son, Aric Lunde, San Antonio, Texas; son-in-law, Gabriel (Rick) Chavez, grandchildren, Alexandra, Ariana and Ian, all from Mason City, Iowa; sister, Cathy (Reinhart) Barth, Independence, Iowa; nephew, Matthew (Kaycee) Barth, niece, Makenna Barth, great-niece, Kelsie Barth, all of Independence, Iowa.
Diane was in Girl Scouts, 4-H, band (playing the French horn and Tenor Saxophone), chorus and class plays. From kindergarten through 3rd grade, she never started and finished a grade in the same school due to her father's employment changes. The moves from Mason City, to Charles City, to rural Orchard ,to rural Rock Falls, to Nora Springs, did not affect her grades as she remained a good student through college, graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in January, 1972.
Diane married her high school sweetheart, Harlan Lunde, on Sept. 9, 1967, at the United Methodist Church in Nora Springs, Iowa, officiated by Reverend Birchmeier. While they were in Nora Springs, Harlan was serving in the Navy on the USS Ranger aircraft carrier. Dawn was born on April 4, 1968 and Aric was born five years later on July 11, 1973. Diane was a 'stay at home mom' until Aric entered kindergarten.
In October 1979, she started her 29-year career at A.C. Nielsen Company in Mason City, Iowa. Over the years she advanced through multiple supervisory and management roles. In January 1988, she proudly accepted a promotion to help start the first Customer Service Center in Nielsen's Green Bay office. For six months the family lived in an apartment in Denmark, before settling in their 4-bedroom split-level home in Maribel - just a 20-mile commute to Green Bay.
Like most people living in the Green Bay area, Diane was a Packers fan. She and Harlan attended five home games. Church was an important part of her life and her maternal grandmother, Agnes Smith, was a strong, positive influence in her Christian faith. Diane was baptized at the Methodist Church in Mason City, Iowa and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Rock Falls, Iowa. While a member of the United Methodist Church, in Nora Springs, Iowa she served as Education Director and was very active in teaching and staffing Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. After moving to Wisconsin she taught Sunday School at Lark Methodist Church. Later membership changed to the Methodist Church in Manitowoc, then on to Green Bay at Bethany United Methodist Church.
Diane and Harlan formed wonderful memories through their travels to Hong Kong (high tea at the Peninsula Hotel); Norway (Lunde family farm and Cutty Sark Tall Ship Parade of Sales); France (Paris and castles in the Loire Valley); Germany (bike ride along the Mosel River lined with vineyards and castles); Austria (Innsbruck and Mirabelle Gardens and Mozart dinner concert in Salzburg); Napa Valley (hot air ballooning); Disney World and Disneyland. They enjoyed reliving those trips through the many beautiful pictures they took. Harlan and Diane also enjoyed music from the 50's and 60's, and attended several concerts and dances. The two most memorable were the 50-year anniversary of Buddy Holly's death at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa in January 2009, and a special Doo-Wop concert at the Benedum in Pittsburgh, Penn., May 2010.
Diane and Harlan thoroughly enjoyed spending a winter week in Mesa, Ariz., with Aunt Nadine since 1995. In March of 2011, they purchased a 2 bedroom/2 bath 2002 mobile home in the Lost Dutchman Park in Apache Junction and have decided to sell their home in Wisconsin.
She experienced some difficult medical issues after moving to Green Bay: November 1989 hysterectomy and gall bladder removal; October 1998 breast cancer -surgery and chemotherapy treatments; July 2006 congestive heart failure; November 2010 aggressive colon cancer and abdominal cancer - surgery, hospitalized for five weeks followed by chemotherapy treatments every two, and then every three weeks. She was extremely grateful for the loving support of family and friends during these difficult times.
Visitation will take place Friday, July 15, 2011, at Lyndahl Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. and will continue on Saturday, July 16, at Bethany United Methodist Church, 1110 Echo Lane, from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Randell Richter presiding. Interment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com.
Lyndahl Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
1350 Lombardi Avenue
(920) 499-1223
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Diane Lunde
Sponsored by ARIC LUNDE.
Kaycee Barth
July 17, 2011
Diane was one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met and I always felt so warm and cozy around her. I am so glad that I had the chance to get to know her, despite the distance. I will never forget her. Love Kaycee Barth (wife to Matt Barth, Diane's nephew)
Wendy Schuchart
July 15, 2011
Harlan and family,
I am so sad to hear of Diane's passing. She was such an amazing friend and professional and always an example of how to treat others with respect and kindness. Her patience and mentorship will be remembered by all who had the honor of knowing her. I am so grateful to have had the chance to work closely with Diane on several projects at the Nielsen company and have always appreciated her wisdom and willingness to laugh and experience joy in any situation. She will be very missed.
Doug Bennett
July 14, 2011
Harlan and Family -
I have worked with Diane for many years @ Nielsen - as many already stated so eloquently Diane was a great colleage and friend but most important she was an incredible person. Diane was so selfless and a true fighter. Even when she was fighting her own health, she always put others around her first. Diane will remain an insipiration for me and many others that she shared her life with. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family during this most difficult time. Diane is a special, special person who will be dearly missed.
July 14, 2011
I don't know where to begin, Harlan. This place hasn't been the same since Diane hasn't been here every day. She always reminded us to be civil and respectful, even in the toughest times. I can't imagine your hurt at this time, but please know that countless of Diane's family at Nielsen continue to pray for you. Annie Zelewske
Angie Montgomery
July 14, 2011
Diane was such a wonderful person who always made you smile and was a true blessing to our family. May you find comfort in your faith and the knowledge that she is in heaven smiling down at you!
Love,
Glennys & Jean Lunde
Jay, Angie (Lunde), Jackson and Autumn Montgomery
Gregg Lunde
Matt, Ally, Aiden and Austin Lunde
Diane and John Baumann
July 13, 2011
Harlan and family,
Diane was an important part of so many lives. Everyone who knew her, knew a person who possessed strength, determination, humor, and a wonderfully positive attitude. She was a great friend, and made the world a brighter and better place. We will miss her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob Gannon
July 13, 2011
Diane was one of the nicest, most caring, most genuine, and professional people I have ever known and worked with. I worked with Diane for many years at Nielsen. My thoughts are with her and her family., and I echo Wendy's sentiments. Bob Gannon
Deby and Bruce Jones
July 13, 2011
To the Family and Loved Ones of Diane,
Diane was such a wonderful, kind, and beautiful person. She was so strong in her faith, and always had a smile during these precious few months she had left on this earth. I will truely miss her!
I found this passage and though of Diane immediately and wanted to share it with you.
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2011
My thoughts are with all of you
Wendy & Jim Greenawald
July 13, 2011
Harlan and family,
We sure will miss Diane. What a great friend and wonderful person she was! We know you will now have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
Make a Donation
in Diane Lunde's name
Memorial Events
for Diane Lunde
How to support Diane's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Diane Lunde's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
