Diana Diner Lynn (Straszewski) Zahller, 63
Diana “Diner” Lynn (Straszewski) Zahller, 63
Diana passed away from cancer, at home, surrounded by her loving family on Oct. 3, 2018.
She was born July 24, 1955, in Libby, the daughter of Daniel and Laura Straszewski. When she was 3 years old the family moved to Whitefish where her father worked for Pacific Power. She made many little friends there and it was hard to leave when in 1958 the family moved to Kalispell. It was just a short time before she again had many new friends at the new home.
Diana attended Evergreen School and that is where she acquired the nickname ‘Diner,” which was what most everyone that she met would call her throughout her life. In 1961 her father Dan acquired a yearling albino colt to train and Diner was by the colt’s side every possible minute she could be. From this moment, her love of horses grew and evolved. In 1963, the family moved to their present home on Mountain View Drive where Diner, if allowed to, would have slept in the barn with the colt “so he wouldn’t be alone.” Diner spent all her free time learning horsemanship from her father and went on to show horses, winning ribbons at the various horse shows. Diner and her sister, Brenda, rode all over Evergreen back before development took hold of the area. Diner had many sleepovers for girlfriends wanting to ride, as her love for horses was contagious.
Diner attended Flathead High School and this is where her brother, Ronald, introduced her to his friends, which is how she met Harold Gullickson. They dated and eventually wed in Kalispell. They moved all over Montana as Harold worked as a millwright. Diner worked many jobs in retail and waitressing. From this marriage, they had two daughters, Erika and Jamey. Diner and Harold later divorced and Diner made her way back to Kalispell in 1984 with her daughters. Diner worked at the Fred Meyer/B&B restaurant where she eventually met the love of her life, Scott Zahller. They dated for a short time before being interrupted as Scott was ordered to Desert Shield / Desert Storm in November of 1990. Upon his return, they married in Kalispell on June 12, 1991. One of her favorite memories was of the trip she and Scott made to the coast of Washington and Oregon. She loved being at the beach, wandering for hours and searching for treasure in the sand. Scott will always remember how she glowed with joy during their stay.
In her spare time Diner tended to a beautiful strawberry patch and garden, but her real passion was tending to the flowers in her yard and plants in her house. Her second, recent passion was her jewelry creations, which many in the family received as gifts. Her constant companion Tootsee, a black miniature Schnauzer, was never far from her side. Diner will be remembered for her friendly smile, generous and loving ways and her infectious laugh. She absolutely loved and cherished her time spent with her grandchildren and they adored their “Nana Diner.”
Diana is survived by her loving husband Scott Zahller, her parents Dan and Laura Straszewski, brother Ronald and sister Brenda, daughters Erika Neal and Jamey Campbell (Jon) and mother-in-law Genevieve Zahller, all of Kalispell; uncle, Robert Smith, of Great Falls; and aunt, Cilla Carpenter, of Spokane; stepchildren, Trista, Trina and Dustin; and grandchildren, Jacob, Gracey, Isaac, Olivia, Victoria, Trystan, Evan, Zoey, Blake, Scarlett and Silas; and the extended Zahller family.
Per Diner’s instructions, cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering is planned for a later date.
To leave a note of condolence please visit the webpage www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.