June Catherine Diener

June Catherine Diener, our Mom, Grandma and Matriarch passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19th, 2024, at the age of 102. She was born to Herman and Anna (Keifenheim) Kramer on April 1, 1922, at her parents’ farm home in Empire, Wisconsin. After graduating from Fond du Lac High School, she attended “Beauty School” in Milwaukee where she received her Beauticians license. While working at Hills Beauty Salon in Fond du Lac, she met the love of her life, and our Dad, Lyle Robert Diener at the Rathskeller. They were married on September 20, 1947, at Immanuel Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was also baptized. They created a beautiful family together and were the BEST parents to all of us: Robert L. Diener (Vicki), Richard J. Diener (Sara), Catherine A. Berenz (Jeffrey), James D. Diener (Connie) and Thomas C. (Christina) Diener.  Mom became Grandma and was loved like a second mother to many grandchildren: Angela (Tion Polk) Diener, Travis (Rosemarie) Diener, Rachel (Michael) Bechert, Brittney (Steven) Holdren, Derek (Elisa) Diener, Drew (Kelly) Diener, Drake (Gini) Diener, Jeff (Jobina) Berenz, Ann (Kevin) Knapp, Tom (Heidi) Berenz, Jane (Chad) Mongin, Joe (Annamaria) Berenz, Courtney (Kenny) Wollersheim, Dallas (Megan) Diener, Kirby (Steve Melenick) Diener, Danielle (David) Curti, Michael (Lakia Krzanowski) Danor, John Diener, Katelynn Diener, Clare Diener, 40 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Our Dad, Lucky Lyle, preceded her in death back in 1970; he was only 49 years old. We were shattered by his sudden death, and it had a profound impact on all of us.  She became our rock, providing constant love and stability as she navigated through losing the love of her life. Throughout her life, she gave her love to all of us and she was always available to help us when needed. Following dad’s death, she could no longer only focus as a homemaker, so she went to work at the Powder Puff to support her young family. She also spent many years working in the cosmetic department at Pranges/Younkers.

June was an exemplary mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. Her house was always open, and she loved special visits from her kids and grandkids. She was the heart and soul of our family and raised us with unconditional love, strength and support. She would be found cheering at an incredible number of sporting events, having endless conversations on her porch swing, playing card games, cutting or braiding all family members' hair and making her famous pancakes, strawberry jam and pies (We will always know she made the BEST!). Even though our large family outgrew her home, she continued to host all family gatherings in our childhood home until about 15 years ago.

Known to many people as “Grandma Diener,” she resided in the Fond du Lac home we all grew up in until October 2023, when she moved to Harbor Haven. On April Fool’s Day earlier this month, she celebrated her 102nd birthday and up until a few days before her passing, she still played a “mean game” of 500 Rummy. We all feel blessed that she got to spend the last few days just as she would have wanted, being surrounded by loved ones and drinking a cold Pepsi.  She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Our mom is preceded in death by our Dad, Lyle Diener, first Grandson, Daniel R. Diener, and siblings (Elsie Lemke, Amanda Rumlow, Norman Kramer, William Kramer, Clarence Kramer and Stanley Kramer) and her parents, Herman and Anna (Keifenheim) Kramer. 

Private family services will be held and burial will take place at Ledgeview Memorial Park. A Celebration of June’s life will take place this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to the Fond du Lac YMCA would be welcomed. We would like to thank the staff at Harbor Haven, Lakeland Care, Home Health Care Aids and SSM Hospice for all the wonderful help and care our Mom received and it will not be forgotten.

When Mom was 14 years old, she wrote “The Story of My Life”. In the concluding chapter titled, “Myself as I See Me”, she wrote “Whenever someone needs help, I will always go and help them no matter what it is. I am truthful. I will always tell the truth. I am trustful, anyone can trust me. When the teacher goes out of the room, I work just as quietly and hard as if the teacher were in the room. I hope one day I will always be truthful, trustworthy, helpful and friendly”. Mom, you fulfilled your hopes, and we thank you for being our Mom!

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com