Diane R. Nyseth

Diane Nyseth, age 72, of Mondovi, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire. Diane Rose Spindler was born to Reinhardt and Janet (Doescher) Spindler on May 6, 1945, at Eau Claire’s Luther Hospital. She was baptized on June 2, 1945, and later confirmed on March 22, 1959, both at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Eau Claire. She graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1963, earned her associate’s degree at Eau Claire Vocational, Technical and Adult School in 1965, and studied at Wisconsin State University-Eau Claire. She married Perry Nyseth at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on June 18, 1966. Diane and Perry made their home in Mondovi for nearly 52 years, from the day they exchanged vows until the time of her death. Together, they raised two sons, Chad and Hal, and they owned and operated the Mondovi Herald-News for 25 years, retiring in 2011. Diane had also worked at Heckel’s Family Restaurant and at First Federal Savings & Loan, both in Eau Claire; she later worked in Mondovi at the law firm of Whelan, Morey & Morey and at Arleen’s Shoppe. Family and friends were Diane’s greatest treasure. She was a devoted daughter, a big-hearted sister, a committed wife and life partner to Perry, a proud, supportive mother to her boys, and the president of her grandchildren’s fan club. Diane also held dear her uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors and family pets. She was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need—whatever the task, Diane was there to help. She was most happy when her house was full of people, whatever the occasion, so she could cook and serve a delicious meal (especially porcupine meatballs) at her dining room table, sip coffee, enjoy good conversation, and laugh with the precious folks who surrounded her. Those who lived nearby could count on thoughtful deliveries of homemade banana bread, frosted Smile-Face cookies, spicy chili, barbecue and casseroles chock-full of ingredients fresh from her garden. She bridged the miles to those farther away with regular phone calls, catch-you-up emails, and newsy letters. Diane rarely forgot a birthday, an anniversary, or a holiday; she thoughtfully shared greeting cards filled with happy congratulations, words of encouragement and comfort, and “just-because-I’m-thinking-of-you” messages. She always remembered to bookend every visit with warm hugs, and to close telephone chats with the words, “Love you, now, OK?” A woman of steadfast faith throughout her life, Diane trusted the Lord to guide, comfort and strengthen her and her loved ones; through prayer, she thanked God for the many blessings that He extended. Diane served the Lord as a member of Our Savior’s United Methodist Church, Mondovi, where she volunteered as Sunday School leader, Bible School teacher and a member of the church women’s group. She was an instrumental organizer of Our Savior’s annual Christmas Walk, sharing her creativity, crafting and culinary skills to ensure its success for over 50 years. She especially enjoyed the friendship and fellowship of her church family as they prepared and decorated the church for holidays and annual events. Diane loved the outdoors and the beauty of each season. She spent a few moments each day looking out the backyard windows at the trees, the birds in the feeder, and the variety of woodland creatures that made appearances. When the weather allowed (and even when it didn’t), she walked the seven acres of land behind the house for exercise, always accompanied by the family’s dogs and cats. Diane’s green thumb ensured that the flower beds bloomed and that the garden yielded a bounty of fresh vegetables. She particularly enjoyed pontoon cruises around Lake Eau Claire, launched from the dock at the family cabin, when she could take in the sights around the lake from spring through fall, count the turtles in the lane, and spy on the eagles and other wildlife. Diane loved to play cribbage, UNO, and dice games with visitors, and to dance the hop polka at wedding receptions; in quieter moments, she scrapbooked, made quilts for the newest additions to her family, completed crosswords and pieced together picture puzzles, likely with a Badgers, Brewers or Packers game playing in the background, or the music of Tony Bennett. She filled the shelves, decked the walls, and covered the refrigerator with dozens of photographs of loved ones, along with her special decorating touches that made the Nyseth house a home. Diane’s memory will be forever cherished by her husband Perry of Mondovi; her son Chad of Eau Claire; her son Hal, her daughter-in-law Michelle, her grandson Michael and her granddaughter Isabella, all of River Falls. She is further survived by her sister Cynthia (Rev. W. Roger) Stauffer of Sanford, Mich.; her stepsister Maxine (Ronald) Kalisz of Morton Grove, Ill.; and her many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Reinhardt and Janet, and her stepfather Ronald Marmsoler. We invite you to celebrate Diane’s life at a noon memorial service on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at Our Savior’s United Methodist Church, Mondovi. A memorial gathering will be held at the church on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, beginning at 5 p.m. and concluding at 7 p.m. with a prayer service, and again on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service. Inurnment at Oak Park Cemetery, Mondovi, will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, kindly direct memorials to Our Savior’s United Methodist Church, Mondovi.