Agnes Diane STEILEN

1937 - 2017

STEILEN, Agnes Diane

Agnes Diane Steilen - please call her Diane! - passed away peacefully on Friday, June 9, 2017, surrounded by family and aided to peace by Father John Steiner's prayers.
She is survived by her adoring husband of 58 years, Charles H. Steilen of Spokane, Washington, and their children: son Mark Steilen, his wife Carrie and grandchildren Sophie and Hart, daughter Lisa Souza, her husband Mark and grandchildren Kendra and Kelsey, daughter Laura Wilcoxen, her husband Marc and grandchildren Beau and Shelby and great-grandchild Ellie, son Joe, his wife Lisa and grandchildren Kayla and Courtney, daughter Monica Eugenio, her husband Eddie and grandchildren Max, Samie, and Shane, and son Nate, his wife Mary, and grandchildren Megan, Molly and Katherine.
Diane was born to the late Edward and Marie Hartley of Winterset, Iowa, July 16, 1937. She was preceded in passing by her beloved brother E.J., and survived by her older sister Mary Pauletti. Diane, along with her sister, taught dance, and used earnings from both dance instruction and singing with a band to attend Saint Ambrose College. She attained an R.N. in nursing at Mercy Hospital in Davenport, Iowa, and used those skills to bring comfort to others in body and soul.
She stole the heart of a young man bound for the priesthood, which cut short her nursing career. The two raised six children and along the way, Diane still made time to support organizations that could benefit from her helping hands: the Concern group at Our Lady of Fatima, SCAN, Ronald McDonald House, Sacred Heart Hospital, and of course frontline support for her children's and grandchildren's schools: Our Lady of Fatima, All Saints, and Gonzaga Prep. She wrapped loving arms around foster children in need of medical care from the "Heal the Children" organization, (apologies to those startled when baby Leslie removed her glass eye during church and waved it proudly in those in nearby pews).
She loved her time outdoors whether it was swimming with her friends out at Diamond Lake or golfing with members of the Nine-Holers Club at Manito Golf and Country Club. And while you might, with some difficulty, find a more enthusiastic fan of Gonzaga Bulldogs Basketball, only Diane Steilen could apply her unique combination of faith, nursing skill, and athletic prowess, galloping on horseback to retrieve her son after he enthusiastically kicked his mount's sides and headed for the hills, or gently assisting an injured wrestler off the mat when the poor kid dislocated his shoulder.
She could paint a show stopping watercolor, hug away tears, dance like a dream, sing beautifully and listen to your problems. Diane regularly prayed the rosary and countless friends and family have benefitted from her intercession. While family and friends are devastated at the loss of this wonderful woman, all are grateful for the gift of her life and take solace in knowing she has been called to pain-free rest with the Lord.
Heartfelt thanks to those at Sacred Heart Hospital, Rockwood South and Hospice House for their care.
In lieu of flowers, bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Rosary will be held Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 1517 E 33rd Avenue, Spokane, WA 99203. The funeral service will also be at Our Lady of Fatima at 10:00 a.m. Saturday.