Diana Lynn Sande, 58

Diana Lynn Sande, 58, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2012, at her home in Kila, with her devoted husband Craig Kiser and the many animals she cared for.

There will be a vast emptiness for many in the space in our hearts she leaves behind. Her loving care and concern for others touched virtually everyone she encountered, in many areas of her life including her long nursing career, her family and the Smith Valley community she resided in at the time of her death.

Diana was born March 21, 1954, in Havre to Jim and Joyce (Witcher) Sande. She was joined by sisters Dorothy and Judy, and brother Jesse over the years. She graduated from Havre High and went on to nursing school at Northern.

She worked in both hospitals in Great Falls until 1989, when she moved west of the mountains to Kalispell, where she worked at Immanuel Lutheran Home and in home health care, which she did up until two days before she passed away.

Diana was preceded in death by her brother Jesse.

She leaves behind her husband of 17 years, Craig Kiser; her parents; sisters; nieces, Jessica and Candice; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She also leaves behind many people she worked for and with in her career of helping others, both in nursing and as a firefighter/engineer with Smith Valley Fire.

Diana had many interests and approached every new opportunity wholeheartedly. When her husband decided to join the local fire department several years ago, she told him if he was still there after a year she would join also. We were privileged to have her as a member for a little over two years, during which time she completed more training classes than many with more time on the department, including a rather vigorous eight-week Fire Fighter 1 academy last year. Every one of us that knew her feels her passing like that of a close family member because that is how she treated everyone, with a hug, a smile, or words of encouragement.

That is not to say that she would keep quiet if you needed to hear words of reprimand or a little strongly-worded advice. Diana was a straight shooter, known for very straightforwardly telling the facts as they were but she managed to do it in a way that was effective and never lost the conveyance of her deep care and concern for others while doing it.

It is then, with deep sorrow and heavy hearts, that we ask you to join us at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 24 at the Christian Center in Kalispell, to recognize the special place she created within each of us that we will cherish always. Bring a dish for a potluck to follow the memorial service and celebrate the life of our beloved friend and companion.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Diana’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Diana’s tribute wall.