M. Dianne Stader DeHart

M. (formerly Margaret) Dianne Stader DeHart of Belton, Texas, died on Feb. 3, 2025. Known to all as Dianne, she was born in Indianapolis, Ind., on Sept. 30, 1941, the first of four children born to the late William and Rosemary Stader.
The happiest moments of Dianne's childhood were the summers she and her siblings spent at their family's cottage on Lake Tippecanoe in northern Indiana from 1951-59. Swimming, boating, water skiing or just appreciating the lake's pristine beauty-all led to Dianne's lifelong love of water. One favorite lake memory she frequently shared was of her experience working at the Handy Spot, a small grocery store across the road from the Staders' property, for several summers starting in 1954 at the age of 12. The childless couple who owned the Handy Spot invited Dianne to live with them in their home attached to the store during the months she worked. She loved how they spoiled her with ice cream and candy. But she especially enjoyed the responsibility they entrusted her with despite her young age-and the confidence she gained as a result.
Dianne graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Indianapolis in 1959. Her first professional job after high school was as a "key-puncher" (typist?) for Eli Lilly & Co. in Indianapolis. An extrovert who thrived on social interaction, she was soon moved to Lilly's personnel department. It was there that she met Herman Elden "Punk" DeHart in 1962. The two married on Aug. 1, 1964.
Dianne became a full-time mother after the birth of the couple's first child, Andrew ("Andy"), in 1967. Their second child, Natalie, was born in 1969.
Dianne nurtured her children's curiosity and talents as they grew. Her gift for managing the family budget helped provide tremendous opportunities and experiences: their children's 12 years of Catholic education; weeks-long summer vacations; a second home on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Ind., from 1979-1985; overseas cultural trips for Andy and Natalie in high school; their college educations, and more.
Dianne was also a gifted homemaker. She sewed most of her children's clothes when they were young (they forgive her for some of the outfits-after all, it was the 1970s). The curtains at the DeHart house in Wanamaker were always homemade, and for many years Dianne lent her gift for sewing to the church decorating committee at the family's parish, Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If she wasn't sewing, Dianne was busy with some other craft-needlework, painting figurines, making Christmas ornaments.
When she wasn't being creative, Dianne was cleaning. It's not that Herman and the kids were messy-she genuinely enjoyed cleaning and living in a spotless house. Christ said, "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places" (Jn. 14:2). Her family rejoices that Dianne is now in perpetual bliss-either because those dwelling places are always pristine, or because God will let her spend eternity cleaning them.
When her children were old enough (but mature enough ?) to care for themselves after school, Dianne returned to the workforce. She worked-and excelled-at various places in administrative and leadership roles, making lifelong friends particularly at St. Francis Hospital and Sigma Theta Tau.
Those years were also filled with fun memories made with "the gang": Dianne, Herman, and three of her high school friends and their husbands. Dianne was their de facto social coordinator. She loved planning dinners, game nights, day trips and state park overnights with them almost as much as she loved the laughter and camaraderie of the four couples. Time spent with "the gang" provided some of Dianne's fondest memories.
But three little loves called Dianne and Herman to leave their Hoosier homeland for the hotter temps of Texas-first for a few months a year, then permanently in 2007. Their names are Tyler, Cameron and Joshua, the sons of Andy and his wife Lisa. They were the absolute light and delight of Dianne's life to her very last breath. She cherished the role of "Grandma" when they were little-hosting sleepovers, baking cookies together, taking them to museums and on outings with Herman. Dianne had a unique connection with each grandson. She cherished their gifts as they grew, like Tyler's ability to uplift others and make them feel special, Cameron's musical talent and love for Big Band music, and Josh's wit and analytical thinking that led to deep conversations.
One common thread binds all points of Dianne's 83 years: her love for God and Christ, expressed through the Catholic faith passed on to her and her siblings by their parents. Dianne instilled and nurtured that faith and love in her children and grandchildren. This gift is Dianne's crowning legacy. For by passing on faith in Christ our Savior-as present today in the Eucharist as when He was born 2,000 years ago-Dianne provided her family a Rock to cling to, a Light for guidance and the Way to eternal life. That gift impacts how we try to live our lives and, pray God, will be passed on through the generations to come.
Sadly, depression and mild dementia led to a decline in Dianne's health during the last several years. A fall led to time in a nursing facility in the spring of 2024, and she was admitted again after an illness in the late summer. By the time a respiratory illness took hold in late January, her body was too weak to fight. Less than a week later, Christ stretched out His hand and called Dianne home. What a consolation it is to know she no longer suffers and is healed in every way.
May the perpetual Light shine upon Dianne, and may her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Dianne is survived by her devoted, loving husband Herman; children Andy (Lisa) DeHart and Natalie (Bernie) Hoefer; siblings Janice Inman, Kathleen Schopper and Thomas (Barbara) Stader; grandsons Cameron, Joshua and Tyler DeHart; 26 nieces and nephews; and numerous grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. CT on Feb. 11 at Christ the King Church, 210 E. 24th Ave., in Belton, Texas. All are welcome. The Mass will also be livestreamed at https://m.facebook.com/ctkbelton/. Users should be able to view the livestream without an account, but bear in mind that every user and their technology is different. The livestream will remain on that after the event, where it can be watched later and downloaded. The family asks for prayers in lieu of flowers. Those who feel called to honor the life of Dianne DeHart in an additional way may write a check made out to Christ the King Parish and mail it to 210 E. 24th Ave., Belton, TX, 76513.