Photo courtesy of Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Sioux Falls
Sep 3, 1947 - Feb 1, 2026 (Age 78)
Shane, Eric and other member of the Spears family, all are in my thoughts and prayers. She gave a great fight but knew when it was time to join Mike and the Lord. Im not going to make the funeral. I've had a very upside down week and my body is blowing the whistle. God bless you all.
Mary Beth Piatt
February 19, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
sorry for your loss
Howie Long
February 16, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD
Thoughts and prayers to the Spear and Stein families. Your mother was a dear friend of mine from high school. We saw each other alot after high school. We both got married and moved away from each other and kept in touch. She was a great friend and sounds like a great mother also.
Linda Sha(Cavalier)
February 06, 2026 | Denton, TX | Classmate
Our families have fun memories of our three sons and the Spears boys when all of them went to Longfellow together. May all of you and your families comfort each other and know your parents are together again. Jim and Nancy Westra
February 05, 2026
Shane and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. May memories of your mom bring you comfort and joy in the days ahead.
Mary Darr
Mary Darr
February 05, 2026 | Luverne, MN | Friend
Condolences to the Spears family. Always enjoyed a strong handshake from Mike at church at Memorial. Also enjoyed talking with Diane and Eric at church also. Fantastic lady. Thoughts and prayers.
Bob Nelson
February 05, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
My deepest sympathies to all of you, you’re mom was a special lady
Cheryl Bruscher/Pearson
February 05, 2026 | Farnhamville, IA | Friend
Condolences to the Spears family. In my working days my company did a lot of business with TPC of which everyone was very profession in helping us with our printing.
Bonnie Coy
February 04, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD
Diane Alice Spears Obituary
Diane Alice Spears, age 78, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on February 1, 2026, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Diane was born on September 3, 1947, to Earl P. and Irene (Nehmer) Stein in Wahpeton, North Dakota. She graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1965, where she met the love of her life, Michael Dwayne “Mike” Spears. The two were married on October 15, 1966.
Early in their marriage, Diane and Mike lived in Pierre, South Dakota, and Grand Forks, North Dakota, before eventually settling in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where they made their home and raised their three sons.
Diane began her career in real estate with GKR in Sioux Falls. In 1983, she joined Mike in founding The Printing Center, a business that became both their livelihood and passion. Whether working alongside Mike at TPC or caring for her family at home, Diane lived with quiet strength, generosity, and deep purpose.
Faith was deeply important to Diane and remained a steady presence throughout her life. She found comfort and guidance in her relationship with God and valued her connection to Memorial Lutheran Church, where she taught catechism earlier in life. Following Mike’s passing, she participated in the church’s widows group, where she formed many meaningful friendships.
In 1971, Diane and Mike formed a close-knit group of friends in Sioux Falls who remained dear to them for 55 years. Together, they shared countless memories—playing cards, dancing at a local dance hall, camping, and spending time with their families. Those friendships endured through the decades and brought great joy to Diane’s life.
One of Diane’s greatest joys in life was her family. She was blessed to share her life with her sons: Shane (Shawn) Spears of Sioux Falls, SD; Shadrack (Jennifer) Spears of Portage, MI; and Eric (Laura) Spears of Sioux Falls, SD. She was a proud grandmother to 13 grandchildren, a great-grandmother to 16 great-grandchildren, and awaiting the arrival of a great-great-grandchild.
She is also survived by her sisters, Claudette (Jerry) Bosen and Janice Bellmore, along with many extended family members and wonderful friends.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Earl P. and Irene Stein; her beloved husband, Michael Dwayne “Mike” Spears; and her brothers, Earl Stein, Dale Stein, and Willard Stein.
Diane will be remembered for her unwavering faith, devotion to her family, quiet kindness, and the steady love she shared with all who knew her.
A visitation will be held at Memorial Lutheran Church, 5000 S. Western Avenue, on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service to immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are warmly invited to stay for lunch and fellowship following the service.
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