Diane Marie Jessen, 67, of Tulare, SD, died Wednesday December 9, 2009 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Father William Osborn will celebrate the mass. Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 5:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Diane was born July 12, 1942 in Arcadia, WI to Edmond and Ceil (Sydlo) Salwey. She grew up and graduated from high school in Arcadia. After graduation she worked at an insurance company in Madison, WI where she met Arlen Jessen, while he was in the service. Diane and Arlen were married February 10, 1962 in Arcadia. They lived in Tulare, Wisconsin and Minnesota before settling back in Tulare in the early 1970's. Diane worked at South Dakota Developmental Center-Redfield for thirty-three years as assistant food director, before retiring in 2008.

She enjoyed baking, gardening and raising flowers and playing video lottery machines. Diane's biggest joy was spending time with her family and playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dustin and Jen and Jay and Janelle are expecting children in early 2010 and Diane was anxiously waiting for her new great grandchildren.

Diane is survived by her husband Arlen of Tulare; her son Jim Jessen of Lasing, PA and his children Jay (Janelle) and Tyler (Katie) and their daughter Hannah; her daughters: Shawna (Archie) Stanley of Tulare and their son Matthew; and Lisa (David) Otto of Tulare and their children Dustin (Jen) Otto and their daughter Ashlyn; Devan (Chris) Hoekman and their children Dannyn and Cambree; and Dawsyn Otto. She is also survived by her sisters: Marlene Weaver of Arcadia, WI; Gloria (Bill) Schwertel of Winona, MN; and Charlotte (Tom) Solberg of Arcadia, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Jack.