Diane Spitzley

Dorothy Diane (Sernett) Spitzley, AKA Diane...and you better not call her Dorothy! She was born to Robert and Monica (Hronek) Sernett and has always gone by her middle name of Diane. In fact, she would get upset if you called her Dorothy (which we all did on occasion to get her riled up).

Diane grew up in the small town of Pocahontas, IA. She grew up a farmer’s daughter but was excited to explore other places.

After graduating Pocahontas Catholic High School in 1966 she moved to Carroll, Iowa to attend nursing school at Antonian School of Nursing and graduated in 1967 as an LPN.

After graduation she married Raymond Stover, had 2 children, and later divorced. Diane struggled raising 2 kids alone while working at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead, MN until God sent her Donald Spitzley. They fell in love and married on October 9, 1976, in Moorhead, MN, blending their two families. Don had 5 children, Diane had 2 children, and after they married had one more child to make their family of 10 complete. They settled into their forever home in Detroit Lakes in 1980.

Diane made many great friends and worked with her husband building D & D Investments of DL. She loved managing the finances AND her husband.

Diane cherished family time even though all 8 children lived elsewhere. After all the kids were gone Don and Diane loved to travel and spend time with family and friends. Diane was a very kind and giving individual, but what most people know about her was her devout faith. She attended daily mass, was active in the church for many years, and made God a priority in her life.

She was preceded in death by her father Robert, her mother Monica, her sister Marilyn, her brother Charles, and many family members and dear friends.

She is survived by her husband Don of 49 years, her children Faye Spitzley of Fargo, ND, Don (Deb) Spitzley of Cloquet, MN, Paul Spitzley of Ramsey, MN, Janet Strand of Fargo, ND, Jeanette (Darin) Roesler of Mapleton, ND, Tim (Cassie) Spitzley of Brainerd, MN, Shelly (James) Reinke of Melrose, MN, Rob (Angie) Spitzley of Eden Valley, MN, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brother Msgr. Michael Sernett of Pocahontas, IA, sister Elaine Colee of Pocahontas, IA, several nieces and nephews.

Diane would welcome prayers and mass intentions in lieu of flowers. She always said she needs them to get to heaven, but we think she’s already there polka dancing with her family. She is greatly missed.