Diana K. Burnard

Diana K. Burnard went home to the Lord on October 4, 2026. She died peacefully at her home in Eden Prairie, MN. She was 88.

Born April 30, 1938, in Ontario, Vernon County, Wisconsin to John N. Dorner and Ruth Ann Dorner (Wruck). She was the youngest of nine children. Her mother died in childbirth when she was 1. This event inspired Diana to be dedicated to motherhood. Under her careful and deliberate motherhood, she instilled her children to be self-sufficient, independent and have the ability to adapt to any situation.

Diana met her husband Don in the winter of 1960, and they were married March 10, 1961, in Waukon, Iowa. They immediately departed for Florida to start their life together.

As the spouse of a career Navy NCO, she was an expert at managing and coordinating multiple moves to California, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Wisconsin and Tennessee. She managed the home front during Don's multiple deployments across the globe, almost single handedly raising their two children. As a spouse, she also served our nation and sacrificed much during 22 years of Navy life, not only managing a household, raising two children and working outside the home to help create a comfortable life for her kids. Diana was a doting mother and spouse all the way up to her death. Even after she was unable to fully care for herself, she always wanted to ensure "dad was fed."

She adjusted to multiple moves by participating in PTO, Scouts, and other activities to help her children adjust to the rigors and solitary environment of military life. Her devotion to family was unwavering, and preparing her kids for the eventuality of becoming adults was paramount to her. She instilled in her children a strong sense of independence, humor, flexibility and the ability to handle difficult situations. She taught them to plan for the worst while always hoping for the best. More than once her kids would hear her tell them "you are made of tougher stuff than this" when confronted with bad circumstances.

After her husband retired from the Navy, the family moved from their last duty station in Florida to Rockford, IL where Diana and Don put down roots that she had longed for so many years. They lived in the same home in Rockford for 41 years. During those years in Rockford, she spent many a holiday spoiling her family with copious amounts of food, love and dotting.

Diana spent many hours curled up reading, often so engrossed that she wouldn't hear conversations around her. She treasured her memories of the yearly pilgrimage to Florida with her son and daughter-in-law and was always excited to make trips to see her daughter, son in law and grandchildren. Diana never passed up the chance for lunch out and loved the rare opportunity when she was the center of attention.

She enjoyed times spent with her daughter, son-in-law and grandkids. Diana and Don relocated one last time to Minnesota to be closer to family as they aged.

Diana is survived by her husband of 65 years, Don; her children, Donnie Burnard (Cindy) and Georgianna Elliott (Dan); her granddaughter, Chelsea Hagle (Chris) and her two great grandchildren, Cecilia and Edwin. She was preceded in death by her parents and a multitude of siblings. Diana was the last living child of the union of John and Ruth Dorner.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the her hospice nurse Kristen; her aides Jen and Char, whose friendship she cherished as well as to the staff at Brighton Hospice and Prairie Bluffs Senior Living whose support during these trying times is greatly appreciated.

Diana lived a full and wonderful life, seeing and experiencing this country as most never do. She was independent, hardworking, grounded in her family and memories and often recalling foods and places she experienced along the way. She will be missed by all she touched, her passing leaves a hole in the hearts of those who she loved and who loved her.

A private graveside service will be held at Bear Creek Cemetery in La Farge, WI.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Diana's family.

203 N. State St.

La Farge, WI 54639

608-625-4244