Diane K Thompson

Diane Kay Thompson, age 80, died on Sunday, January 15, of injuries sustained in a fall at her home in Surprise, AZ. Diane (nee Mallu) was born on December 18, 1942, in Janesville, Wisconsin, the only child of Vernon and Edith Mallu. She graduated with Honors from Janesville High School, class of 1961. Diane continued her education at Luther College in Decorah, IA. She graduated in 1965, again with Honors, majoring in Art, English and Education. One week after graduation, on June 5, 1965, she married her college sweetheart Bob Thompson. Diane and Bob started married life in Waukesha, WI, where Diane began teaching art in the Elm Grove school district. Diane’s teaching career included schools in Elm Grove, WI, Monson, MA, and Burlington, WI. It was during the eighteen years in Burlington that their daughters Kari and Kristin were born. While the girls were young, Diane freelanced her artistic talents as a graphic designer. A business opportunity took the family to Glendale, AZ, in 1986, where Diane worked in the family-owned insurance agency and simultaneously as an agent for The Paul Revere Insurance Company. In 1990 Diane stepped away from the insurance industry to serve as a Volunteer Coordinator at Boswell Hospital in Sun City, AZ, concluding her career as Director of Volunteers in 2004. In retirement Diane and Bob divided time between AZ and MN. During this time Diane pursued her lifelong passion of designing and producing works of art. She was an accomplished potter- producing pots, plates and wall hangings. Diane showed and sold her art in various shows in MN, IA, and WI.

Diane is survived by Bob, her husband of 57 years; Kari and Dennis Heimdal and their children Thor, Rikka and Trigg of Okoboji, IA; Kristin and Ryan Ashland and their children Cade and Bryn of Mankato, MN. She is further survived by sisters-in-law Anne Thompson of Madison, WI, and Sandy Thompson of Green Bay, WI, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Diane is predeceased by her parents and grandparents, along with her brothers-in-law Richard and Chris Thompson. Diane’s legacy includes her family, spirituality, kindness and creativity. A Celebration of Life will be held in Surprise, AZ, on February 25th, and a Christian Memorial Service will be held in Mankato, MN, in June.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.surprisefuneralcare.com for the Thompson family.