Diane Rae (Devine) Penner, 61, of Grand Island, originally of Gothenburg, died on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, with Pastor William Pavuk officiating.

Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in the Farnam Cemetery, with Pastor Larry Viter officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at All Faiths Funeral Home.

Ms. Penner was born on May 19, 1952, in Cozad to Wayne and Norma (Slack) Devine.

Survivors of the immediate family include a son and daughter-in-law, Derrick and Gina Devine of Richmond, Va.; a daughter, Rebecca Penner of Grand Island; her parents, of Grand Island; and a brother and sister-in-law, Lennie and Barbara Devine of Grand Island.

Also surviving are a grandson, Tony, and many cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Diane grew up and attended school in Gothenburg, graduating with the class of 1971. She also graduated from Queen Anne Beauty School in Kearney. She moved to Grand Island in 1994. She and her daughter moved to North Carolina for a few years and returned to Grand Island in 2005.

Over the years, she was employed at Hald’s Floral in Cozad; Dave’s Dairy Bar and as secretary for the Methodist Church in Gothenburg; as a drafter for the state of Nebraska, and as a makeup artist for the annual Miss Mid-Plains Beauty Pageant in Gothenburg. Although her health was an issue, Diane had a tremendous perseverance and strength.

Her wonderful attitude and outlook allowed her to enjoy playing the piano, and she played for many church and school functions. She loved to sing with her children, Derrick and Rebecca. Among many other things, Diane will be fondly remembered for her amazing sense of humor.

The Grand Island Independent