Diane T. Burmeister

Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of Diane T. Burmeister, age 75, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at St. Joseph's Residence in New London, Wisconsin, with her family by her side.

Diane was born on July 29, 1950 to the late Robert and Theresa (Coppus) Hooyman. She grew up in Darboy back when it was still country. She attended UW-Stout and became a member of the Sixth Street Gang, a group of friends she remained close to for the rest of her life. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1972. Diane married John Burmeister on December 7, 1973 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Darboy. After college she and John moved to New London in 1975 and started a family. She worked several jobs over the years and always enjoyed helping people in customer service roles.

Diane was a woman of many passions – from attending her grandchildren's sporting events, quilting, sewing her children's clothes, traveling, tending her flower gardens, and solving puzzles. One of her favorite trips was the Riverboat Cruise, from Paris to Normandy, with their friends, Jim and Brenda. She also enjoyed trivia, swimming, and her Aquasize class at the pool. She tried her hand at hunting and enjoyed reading a book while John fished. They even started a couples club for fishing. More than anything else in the whole wide world, though, Diane loved her family and cherished every moment she could spend with them.

Diane will be greatly missed by her loving husband, John of 52 years; daughters, Sara (Tom) Collar and Rebecca (Ben) Elsholtz; and grandchildren, Natalie Collar and Bristol Elsholtz; along with her siblings, Sharon (Jim) Verkuilen, Char (Werny) Heyndrickx, Debbie (Jeff) Dercks, Gayle (Rick), Peters and Vickie Brihn; and sister-in-law, Pamella Hooyman. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Theresa; father and mother-in-law, Norman and Pearl Burmeister; brothers, Roger Hooyman and Randy Hooyman; brother-in-law, Paul Brihn, and sister-in-law, Lynn Hooyman.

The family would like to thank everyone at St. Joe's, especially the A-Team, and the ThedaCare Hospice staff, especially, Julie and Heidi for their kindness and compassionate care over the last year.

The Funeral Mass for Diane will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at St. Patrick's Parish in Lebanon with Father Dave Hoffman as celebrant. The visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Fremont.

A Memorial fund will be established with funds going to fight Parkinson's.