Diane E. Naleson

Diane went to rest with Jesus on Monday, October 12, 2020, at Covenant Medical Center with her children by her side, at the age of 75. Diane was born on August 31, 1945, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Donald E. and Pauline M. (Stevens) Agnew. She married Micheal C. Kelsey September 21, 1963, they had two children together and created many family memories until they divorced. She later married Robert A. Naleson on March 4, 2000. He predeceased her on August 29, 2002. Diane was the best mom ever, to her three children, Micheal (Stephanie) Kelsey, Sheri (JD) Kaufmann, and Amanda (Jason) Bloniarczyk. If ever you wanted to get a smile from her, all you needed to do was get her talking of her eight beloved grandchildren, Brittany, Kayla, Alyssa, Dane, Austin, Danielle, Charles and Raylan. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Diane also leaves behind her furbaby, Gabby. Diane now joins Bob in the snuggling (and spoiling) of their 4 angel grandbabies, and furbaby Dusty. Family was so important to Diane, and nothing highlights this more than the close bond she shared with her siblings; Carol (Ken) Hunter, Gary (Helen) Agnew, Judy (Gerald) Rethman, Nancy Armstrong, Sandy (Dennis) Sieggreen, Paula (Dave) Rappuhn, Cindy Jo (Chuck) Hill; as well as those that predeceased her. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Alice Marshall and Gene Shuler, her Godson Gary M. Agnew, many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and dear friends. Diane was predeceased by siblings, Delores Dorr, Marilyn Gueldenzopf, Donna Armstrong, Virginia Mickey, and a baby brother, James Agnew, brothers-in-law, Nelson Armstrong, Roland Gueldenzopf, James Dorr, and Robert Marshall. Diane touched the lives of so many in her 75 years. Especially those of the many many children she had the privilege to care for over the years, all of whom held a special place in her heart. She enjoyed helping them with arts and crafts, baking cookies, and playing games (Mickey Mouse Yahtzee, anyone?) Lest not forget, there is no store-bought costume that could hold a flame to those that she could sew! No doubt, many a child won best costume at their school parties while donning a Diane-made costume. She was known for her beautiful holiday decorations and took painstaking care that every last detail was attended to. She was known to have the best Christmas display year after year in her neighborhood. One of Diane’s favorite past-times was watching Saginaw Spirit hockey with her siblings. There will undoubtedly be a void in section 19, as Diane was a season ticket holder and rarely missed a game. Diane enjoyed cooking, baking and candy making. There was no topping her meatloaf, scalloped potatoes and ham or bean soup. And for dessert she could whip up some delicious angel food cake, pecan rolls or homemade almond joys. There is no page or book, for that matter, large enough to hold the lifetime of love and care that Diane gave to so many. She will be greatly missed. A private family burial has taken place on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider The Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation 5789 State St., Saginaw, Michigan 48638; The Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum 315 W. Genesee Ave., Saginaw, Michigan 48602 or Bethany Lutheran Church 5051 McCarty Rd., Saginaw, Michigan 48603 Those wishing to express their sympathies and memories of Diane may share them with the family on her memorial website at WakemanFuneralHome.com

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Diane E. Naleson

August 31, 1945 - October 12, 2020