1944-2020
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mom, baba, sister, auntie and friend, Diana Kowalke on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at Pine Falls Hospital. She was 75.
She was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Jean and her sister Vivian Schmidtke.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Arthur of 53 years, her children Kim (Jim), Colleen (Cats), and Terry (Paola), her grandchildren Ashley (Rob), Rowan, Adalia, and Tamaya, and great grandson Liam. She also leaves her brother Roger (Jeanette), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and friends. She will also be missed by her beloved dog Whiskey.
Diana grew up in Lowland and moved to Winnipeg where she met and married Arthur in 1966. The family moved to Gull Lake, living there until they built and moved to the family home in Thalberg. She worked in Home Care until she became ill in 2006. She was known for washing dishes at 3:00 a.m., feeding everyone and telling dirty jokes. She was truly the most loving, caring woman. During mom’s final year at the Pine Falls Hospital, she looked forward to our visits, trips to the park across the street and her cinnamon bun from Timmy’s.
It broke our hearts to see her be full of joy and life and then to crash into a depression. For this reason the family is suggesting a donation may be made in Diana’s name to The Andrew Dunn Memorial Fund, c/o AndrewDunn.org, Box 89, Oakbank, Manitoba R0E 1J0 in lieu of flowers.
A Celebration of Diana’s life will be held on Friday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Sobering Funeral Chapel, 1035 Park Avenue E., Beausejour, MB.
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Tammy and Brian Adolph
Growing up, Auntie Diane’s house was always full of kids, pets and laughter. When she wanted to get our attention, she kept calling names until she got the one she wanted. Quite often we were addressed as one of the dogs.
We will miss her humour, her wit and her soothing humming while she worked.
Condolences to the family.
Love,
Tammy and Brian
Dave critchley
Her laughter was one of a kind. And yes, it did take three or four tries before she got your name right. A game of scrabble was always fun at the Kowalke house. Rest Diane oxox to the family.
Our condolences Tracy & Dave
Gullake
Roy & Carol Anne Gabe
Art and family, so sad to hear of your (our) loss. Will talk soon. Roy & Carol Anne Gabe , Gull Lake
Ray Curtis & Carla Hocken
Our condolences to Art and family. She was a wonderful person and will be missed
Anthony and Nicholas
I remember growing up and my escape was Gull Lake , Kowalke’s cottage was sorta a local youth home that took care of many local kids jurying the day and some nights such as Darren Kitchen and myself and many others. My second mother and my son’s auntie baba,my mother’s best friend, she is a legend in my history. Her generosity and free will and a strength that was the ingredients that made her one of the most special people that anyone could have had the pleasure to cross paths with. I will miss her borshe that was so amazing and I’m sure Zonie (mom) and Diana (mom 2) are chatting it up once again . We will miss you dearly.
With everlasting love! Anthony and Nicholas Smolarski
Jerry and Deanna Zaretski
Our thoughts are with Diane’s family. It’s never easy to lose a loved one, no matter age or health. Hugs all around,
Jerry and Deanna Zaretski (friends)
I’d only known Diane for a handful of years and by extension, a few of her family members as well. Nice people. Although Diane’s last few years at home were difficult, I enjoyed my visits with Diane. They left me wishing I’d met her before her health got bad. From the stories, it sounded like some good times were had!
Rest in peace dear friend,
Deanna.
Kim Friesen
My deepest condolences, she was a lovely woman
Wilfred & Mildred Betker (Cousins)
Arthur & family,
We express our deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved wife, Diana, also a mother, and a grandmother. It is heartbreaking to lose someone you love, someone so precious. Diana has given you beautiful memories to hold near and dear to your heart. Those memories are yours forever. As you go forward along your journey in life we pray that you are given strength, comfort, courage, determination, gratitude, good health, and the willingness to consider the possibility that requires a tolerance of uncertainty. We pray that you go forth with everyday gratitude as an inspiration for living life as an amazing gift from our Lord. Peace be with each of you.