Diane Evans, 71, of Willmar, MN and formerly of Ashton, SD, died September 27, 2011 at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar, MN.

Her funeral will be Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Alliance Church in Aberdeen, SD. Reverend Kerry Asher will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Visitation will be Monday from 1-8:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield, SD. www.thelenfuneralhome.com


Diane was born September 6, 1940 in Redfield, SD to Clifford and Marigold (Perry) Miller of Northville. She graduated from Northville Northwestern School in 1958 and worked at the Mellette Elevator. October 2, 1960, Diane married Dennis Evans and made their home on the family farm near Ashton, and raised two children, Denise Lundquist, Willmar, MN and Perry Evans, Alexandria, MN.

Diane was a Member and Deaconess of the Aberdeen Alliance Church. An avid golfer, Diane loved to travel to tournaments with the gals. She enjoyed playing bridge and thoroughly looked forward to visiting with friends at the local coffee shop.

After the death of her husband in 1991, Diane and Steve Omodt, longtime friend and family member operated the farm near Ashton until the effects of Multiple Systems Atrophy would not allow. Since that time, Diane has lived in Willmar, MN near Denise and her children.

Diane is survived by her two children; two grand children, Julia Lundquist and Jack Lundquist and 5 sisters; Evelyn (Robert) Lutter, Flandreau, SD; Vivian (Harry) Albee, Eureka, SD; Rosellen (Al) Gefre, Aberdeen, SD; LaVaun (Ernest) Hahn, Gordon, WI and Velma (Joe)Weinreis, Parachute, CO.

She is preceded by her parents, her husband Dennis Evans, her brother Melvin Miller of Denver, CO and sisters Lucille (Willard) Way of Redfield, SD, Barbara Miller (childhood) and Lorrine (Merle) Albrecht of Aberdeen, SD.