Diana L. Ryburn, 66, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at her daughter’s residence in Oregon, Wis.
The daughter of Max and Helen (Hutchens) Downing, she was born Jan. 21, 1947, in Hillsboro. Diana attended and graduated from Hinkley High School in Illinois in 1965. She worked for the phone company and First National Bank for a number of years. Diana went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in the late 1980s and retired as a rural carrier in 2010.
She enjoyed watching the Packers, playing cards and eating sweets, and she was an avid gardener (some may even consider her obsessed!). She always had a smile, even throughout her illness. Diana mostly enjoyed being with her family and grandson.
She is survived by her children, David Kenneth Ryburn of Oregon, Wis., and Julie Ann (Justin) Germaine of Oregon, Wis.; a grandson, Tristan Germaine; her siblings, Vicki (Rusty) Baie of Waterman, Ill., Connie Elting of Hampshire, Ill., and Sandra Hutchens of Viroqua; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ron Downing; and a brother-in-law, Bernie Elting.
A celebration of Diana’s life will be at the Torkelson Funeral Home, 720 Madison St., Ontario, from 2–4 p.m. Saturday, April 27. A gathering will follow the service at River’s End Bar & Grill in Ontario. Private family burial will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 8317 Elderberry Road, Madison, WI 53717.
Diana will be remembered for her easy smile, infectious laughter, sassy sense of humor, and tasty Green Bay Packer potluck contributions, but mostly for her undying devotion to her children and her “Little Guy.”
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
