Strathcona – Diane Marie (Allison) Shafer, age 79, was welcomed to her eternal resting place on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in the comfort of her own home.
Diane was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 24, 1944, to Flora
(Zins) and Frank Allison. She was baptized in the Catholic Faith and later received her first communion and confirmation at St. Bernard’s parish in Thief River Falls. Diane attended grade school in Red Lake Falls, and later she attended Lincoln High School in Thief
River Falls, where she graduated in 1962. She was also inducted into the National Honor Society in 1962, which was one of her many accomplishments. Following her secondary education, she began her path to becoming a nurse at the Sisters of St. Joseph school in Grand Forks, ND, where she graduated in 1965.
Diane married the love of her life, Dean Edward Shafer, on August 7, 1965, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, in Thief River Falls. Their union was blessed by four incredible children: Patrick Shafer, Shannon (Jamie) Peterson, Kristi (Nathan) Westlund, and Teri Hubbard.
Following her college graduation and her marriage to Dean, Diane began her nursing career at the Greenbush Hospital in Greenbush. She also worked at Marvin Windows in Warroad, and the Greenbush Nursing Home, where she worked until retirement. Along with being dedicated to her work life, Diane was very invested in her faith and home parish; she volunteered her time to teach Religious Education classes for many years, sang in the choir, and was also a communion distributor. Diane’s most cherished moments were spent gardening, painting, sewing, reading, fishing with family, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and making crafts with her grandchildren.
The light of Diane’s life was being able to make endless memories with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Her memory will be forever cherished in our hearts, and she will be missed by everyone who knew her. “Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories” – Ronald Reagan.
Diane is survived by her husband, Dean Edward Shafer of Strathcona; children, Pat Shafer of Williams, Shannon (Jamie) Peterson of
Strathcona, Kristi (Nathan) Westlund of Strathcona, Teri Hubbard of Strathcona; grandchildren, Paul (Danielle) Denk, Jordan Vig,
Niketa (Tony) Jamison, Josh (Nicole) Olson, Jamin Westlund, Kendra Westlund, Honna Westlund, Ryce Skime, Gavin Skime, Jerry Hubbard; great-grandchildren, Josh Denk, Kristina (Peyton) Dorn, Alexa Ackerman, Brilyn Ackerman, Bentley Adams, Wyatt Vinson, Karsten Jamison, Xzeylia Jamison, Triton Jamison, Cyprian Jamison, Colton Olson and many other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Flora Allison; her brother, Bill Allison; and many other relatives.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Greenbush.
Visitation was held one hour prior to services.
A Rosary was held at 11:30 a.m.
Interment services were held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Cemetery following fellowship.
Arrangements are with Collins Funeral Home of Greenbush.
Diane Shafer, 79
