Diane Mayne Wink

Diane was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1935. She was the only child of Herbert and Charlotte Mayne. After high school, Diane worked for a law firm while earning her associates degree from the University of Buffalo. In August 1956, she married Frank Ronald Wink. “Ron” had just been commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and was beginning his career as an Air Force pilot.

Over the next 30 years Diane and Ron moved more than 18 times supporting Ron’s military career as a distinguished pilot and commander. All the while, Diane led their growing family. Notably, she stayed behind at Homestead Air Force Base in south Florida with three small children as Ron evacuated Air Force B-52s threatened by hurricanes and the Cuban Missile Crisis. She was also “on duty” during Ron’s many weeks away on nuclear alert and his yearlong tour in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, returning to her Buffalo, New York roots.

Through her career as an Air Force wife and mother, Diane embraced a “bloom where you are planted” philosophy, from snowmobiling in Michigan to weekends and vacations camping and boating throughout the United States. Over her lifetime, Diane was a voracious reader and leveraged her second-place achievement in the Cheektowaga elementary school spelling bee into a prolific poetry portfolio. In retirement, Diane and Ron built a home on Hanson Lake #2 in Bellevue, Nebraska to enjoy family and outdoor living.

Diane and Ron spent 40 years enjoying lake life, generously sharing with family, friends, and fellow church members. Diane led the entertainment committee, highlighted by the annual 4th of July BBQ with as many as 75 family and friends gathered for swimming, water sports, and fireworks on the lake. Diane enjoyed summer evening cruises and water skied into her 60s. Ron and Diane also picked up the sport of snow skiing, making yearly trips to Colorado during these years.

In 1984, Diane and Ron became charter members of Thanksgiving Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Nebraska where Diane served faithfully as a worship coordinator and member of the prison ministry. Together, Ron and Diane established and led the church ski trip for 20 years with Diane tirelessly devoted to finding perfect accommodations for all. They remained active members of Thanksgiving after moving to Texas in 2021 to be nearer to family, settling into CHRISTUS St. Joseph Village.  

Throughout her life Diane was a connector. She easily met people, remembered their names, and found something special about each one. Over the past 3 years, she quickly assimilated to retirement living at St. Joe’s, making new friends with each walk down the hall. No doubt, she was the life of any party.

Diane is survived by Ron, her loving husband of 68 years. She is also survived by three children: Randy, Robin, and Dana, and “the outlaws.” She counted 7 grandchildren -- Alexandra, Tyler, Christian, Annaliese, Tannah, Davis, and Alizah, more “outlaws,” and 8 great grandchildren among her life’s many blessings.  

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