Diane Kay Parlin

She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, father, and many beloved aunts, uncles and grandparents. She is survived by her mother, four siblings, six children and one step-son, eleven grandchildren, and an abundance of married and extended family.

Diane was born on December 30th, 1954 in Minneapolis, MN, the first of 5 children born to Tay and Donna Kersey. At the age of 7 her family moved to the Philippines where her parents worked as missionaries. Diane attended boarding school, took sewing through the University of Manilla (on a treadle machine), and graduated from high school before returning to the states. Some of her favorite memories were swimming in the ocean, hiking in the mountains, and visiting museums and military bases.

In 1973, Diane’s family moved back to Minnesota. Out bowling with friends one evening, she met a charismatic young man and “immediately fell in love” while searching together for his missing wallet. Their courtship included bowling, camping, drag racing, and New Year’s Eve at Uncle Sam’s (now First Avenue). After dating for about a year, Mike and Diane drove to South Dakota and got married.

Joyfully planning for a large family, Mike and Diane welcomed their first of six children together in 1975. While Mike pursued employment as a mechanic and later a mechanical engineer, Diane focused her attention on being a mother and homemaker. Although money was never abundant, Diane made sure her kids could participate in afterschool programs, learn instruments, and play sports. Throughout the summer months, Diane made weekly trips to the local library, toting 6 kids and paper bags full of books. She encouraged her children to be curious, studious, and to believe in their ability to learn. She also volunteered as a religious education and confirmation group leader at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, and on the Blaine Community Scholarship Committee. Endlessly attentive to the lives of her children, Diane rarely missed a concert, play, game, meet or conference.

Determined to contribute financially to the household while still being a full time mom, Diane explored multiple options for working at home, including daycare, ironing, upholstery and taxes, the last two of which became long term careers.

Starting with a correspondence course in automotive upholstery, and countless trips to the library, Diane taught herself the many skills for doing upholstery and running a small business. Eventually moving to a storefront after kids graduated, the shop became a central gathering space where family members could stop for a chat, a hug, or a few hours of employment. Children (and eventually grandchildren) learned to tear back furniture, make buttons, and show fabric. It was a place that provided Diane income and purpose, but where family still came first.

Originally learning tax preparation from her father and through the U of M extension program, Diane continued to work until entering hospice, growing her client list upwards of 600 annual returns. She was proud to do this work alongside her father, and later her daughter and brother.

Diane also worked briefly for Goodwill, continuing to live her deep values of caregiving. She was always on the lookout for anyone who might need some mom-style encouragement, kindness, or a bit of tough love. Younger co workers brought in report cards to share with her, and she once informed her manager that someone looked feverish and needed to go home. (They were and they did.)

In the last years of Mike’s life, Diane became a full-time caregiver for her husband, offering unconditional love and companionship until he passed away from a sudden cardiac event in December of 2022. Following his death, Diane embraced time with her children and grandchildren - often at home for games, puzzles and movie nights, but also traveling to the Eagle Center in Wabasha, organizing 4th of July weekends in Wisconsin, and flying to visit grandchildren in Indianapolis.

Diane will be remembered as a kind, gracious, and charitable person. She loved eagles, owls, board games, jigsaw puzzles, gardening, reading and above all, spending time with the people she loved. She was an incredible wife, sister, daughter, mom, grandma, and above all, an incredible person who touched many lives.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Diane’s favorite charities: Wounded Warrior Project, Boys Town, or Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Preceded in death by her father, Tay Eugene Kersey; spouse, Michael George Parlin.

Survived by mother, Donna Lee Kersey; siblings, Cheryl Marshall, Kent Kersey, Dan Kersey, Lolly Berle; Children/Grandchildren, Anthony Parlin (by marriage), Emmi (& Ben) Perrin and their children Isaac and Marie, Nathaniel (& Jen) Parlin and their children Samuel, Katrina, and Liam, Cynthia (& David) Bleskachek and their children Noah and Ian, Nancy (& Jeff) Reuvers their children Selena, Austin and Jordan, Victoria (& Jon) Larsen, Angie (& Darrin) McNamara and their child Casey.

Join us to celebrate Diane's life on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids. Visitation at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am. A private burial ceremony will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.