Carol "Diane" Tadewald

Carol

Carol "Diane" Tadewald lost her long battle with Merkel Cell Skin Cancer on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, in Casper, Wyoming. She was surrounded by loving family and friends.

Diane was born Aug. 12, 1956 to Doyle and Nadine Johnson in Longmont, Colo. Diane grew up in Niwot, Colo. and attended school there, graduating from Niwot High School in 1974. She then worked at the High School Library until 1976 when she followed her heart and moved to Wyoming to find her "cowboy". That cowboy has been the love of her life for 33 years.

Daniel J. "Danny" Tadewald and Diane were married Sept. 3, 1977 in Longmont, Colo. They had two beautiful children, Amanda Jo "Mandy" and Casey Joe. Danny and Diane worked as a team to provide support and leadership in their children's lives. She worked side by side on the Tadewald ranch lambing out sheep, calving the cows, putting up hay, combining oats, and raising, as of late, the family's registered Longhorns. Later she and Danny shared in the special pleasure derived in becoming loving and devoted Grandparents.

Diane also provided a loving home for many nieces, nephews, and other children throughout the summers. Diane enjoyed filling her home with the activities of each child, creating a unique and special ranch experience for each child who visited. Every Friday night was known as Taco Night at the Tadewald Ranch, making it a welcome gathering place for family and friends.

She has been a 4-H Leader for 24 years, and was recently honored with The Friends of Niobrara 4-H Award. Diane started working for the Niobrara County Extension Office in September 1991, where she enjoyed being with children. Diane's devotion to the 4-H program was apparent in the many hours she spent making sure all activities regarding 4-H ran efficiently and effectively. She volunteered to chaperone the Girls Dormitory during Wyoming State Fair, leaving each 4-H member with special memories of the time spent at State Fair. Diane was a community leader, working selflessly as a member of the Van Tassell Help One-Another Club, the Niobrara County Fair Board, Christmas Bazaar, the Halloween Carnival, and various Benefit Suppers for community members, and was a life member of National Young Farmers Education Association. Diane and Danny took pride in exhibiting their cattle at the Wyoming State Fair Longhorn Show and the NILE in Billings, MT. Diane devoted countless hours as the Secretary and member of the Wyoming Longhorn Breeders Association and as a member of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.

Diane is survived by her husband Danny of Van Tassell, Wyo.; daughter Mandy Collins, her husband Brett, and their children Haylee and Montana Collins of Three Forks, Mont.; son Casey, his wife Brittany, and their children Hayden, Daniel and Austin of Casper, Wyo.; her mother, Nadine Johnson of Lusk; her sister Darlene and husband Bob Thornton of Mitchell, Neb., her brother Don and his wife Jeanene Johnson of Laramie, Wyo.; and numerous nieces, nephews, three God-daughters, and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Doyle Johnson, and her brother, Robert Leroy Johnson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Pier Funeral Home in Lusk.

In lieu of flowers, please make your gift to the Diane Tadewald Memorial Fund, c/o Lusk State Bank, PO Box 1400, Lusk, WY 82225. Diane's family and friends sincerely appreciate your love, care and concern.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records