Diane Marie (Heistand) White, 62, died on Saturday, March 30, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on Jan. 16, 1962, in Denison, to parents Lawrence and Rose (Probasco) Heistand. She was raised in Woodbine and graduated from Woodbine High School in 1980. Diane then attended Dana College in Blair where she graduated with a degree in education. In August of 1984, Diane married Fred White in Montana. They lived in the married housing at Blair until they finished college. Diane then got hired at the Tri-Center School District as a junior high remedial reading teacher and moved to teaching fourth grade there. After she finished her Masters in Education Administration, she was hired as the Tri-Center Elementary Principal. Diane retired in 2017, after 33 years in the Tri-Center School District.
Diane's love for life included going to Goodwill to find treasures, cooking delicious meals, tending to her garden with care, playing Cribbage with friends and family, following her boys' school activities with pride and coaching wrestling from the stands. Diane lived each day to the fullest. Her passion for music and the joy she found in being a grandmother brought immense happiness to those around her.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Carl Heistand; and two sisters, Rita Scichilone and Norma Heistand. She is survived by her husband, Fred White of Neola; four sons, Colton White and Brenna Truhe of Neola, Caleb White and his wife Katie of Shelby, Ethan White and Molly Collins of Princeton, Kan. and Emmett White and his fiancée Kelbi Smith of Wayne, Neb.; four grandchildren, Braylee, Brantley, Nora and Callie; two brothers, Norman Heistand and his wife Dorothy of Vinton and Henry Heistand of Cortez, Colo.; sister, Margaret and her husband Gary Reihman of Williamsburg; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at First Christian Church in Woodbine. Pastor Chuck Snow presided over the service. The musician was Bob Smith. The musical selections were “Amazing Grace” by Alan Jackson, “Save You a Seat” by Alex Warren and “Goodbye” by Kenny Rogers. The honorary pallbearers were Colton White, Caleb White, Ethan White, Emmet White and Brantley White.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
