On August 28, 2024, heaven gained a best friend, devoted spouse, and a proud and loving mother and grandmother. Dianne K. Anderson was born on March 23, 1945, in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. She was the only child of Opal and Berge Christensen. Dianne was raised in Dell Rapids, SD, until her graduation from Dell Rapids High School in 1963. After high school, she obtained training as a dental assistant and worked in that capacity for several years in the Sioux Falls, SD area. On June 12, 1965, she married the love of her life, best friend, and soul mate, Dick Anderson. Dick and Dianne remained married until the day of his passing in 2011, almost 47 years. Dick's career as an advertising executive took he and Dianne to Cedar Rapids, IA, where they resided until they acquired the Stoughton Courier Hub and Star Shopper in 1979, which are weekly publications servicing Stoughton, WI and the greater Dane County, WI area. Dianne remained a principal in the newspapers with Dick until their eventual sale in 1994. Dianne's life's focus, however, was on her priorities: family, friends, and community. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother to her two sons, Ryan and Cory, her daughter-in-law Leslie, as well as her two granddaughters, Alex and Harper. As a committed member of her community, she and Dick founded the Stoughton, WI Youth Football program in the mid-1980's and dedicated countless hours in creating a program that, since its inception, has seen thousands of children pass through its ranks. Through the newspapers, Dianne participated in the sponsorship of the Stoughton little league baseball tournament, which, for the winners, culminated in a fire engine ride through the streets of Stoughton, WI. Dianne also spearheaded the creation of the Memory Walk at Howard Heggestad Park in Stoughton, WI. Along with Dick, she endeavored to create a location in their home of Stoughton, WI that offered community families and friends a way to commemorate and honor those who left an indelible imprint on their lives. Despite her husband's passing, Dianne saw the Memory Walk to completion and it exists today in service of the Stoughton, WI community. In 2012, Dianne was recognized as the Stoughton, WI "Citizen of the Year" and was honored during the annual Stoughton Syttende Mai parade. To Dianne, time with family and friends was the essence of life. She travelled extensively with Dick and friends to various international locations and the doors to her home were always open to her friends and those of her sons and granddaughters. She loved crafting, including creating intricate works of Norwegian hardanger embroidery, and sharing the results of her work as gifts for family and friends. In 2013, she moved to Wheaton, IL, where she lived until her passing, enjoying time with her son Cory, daughter-in-law Leslie, and her granddaughters Alex and Harper. Sharing time and experiences with her granddaughters became the most important part of life. The love she extended to her granddaughters and the joy she created in their lives will never be forgotten. Dianne was predeceased by her mother and father, Opal and Berge Christensen, her husband Dick, and her oldest son, Ryan. Those she left to carry on her selfless example of love and kindness include many friends and her family, Cory, Leslie, Alex, and Harper Anderson, who will miss her each and every day.

The life and legacy of Dianne K. Anderson will be celebrated by family and friends on September 14, 2024, at Covenant Lutheran Church, 1525 N. Van Buren, Stoughton, WI, with a visitation from 10:00am-11:00am and funeral service from 11:00am-12:00pm. Immediately following the funeral service, friends and family are invited to gather at Halverson's, 1965 Barber Drive, Stoughton, WI, to continue the celebration of Dianne's life. Memorials in Dianne's name may be made to Lighthouse Hospice Care at lighthousehospice.com, or the Parkinson's Foundation at parkinson.org.