Diane L. Pierson, 68, of Leeds, ND passed away Friday, August 2, 2024 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND.  A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds.  Burial will follow at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery. Everyone is invited to join the family to celebrate Diane's life. In lieu of flowers any memorials are preferred to the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery Fund, 5125 49th Avenue NE, York, ND 58386.

Diane was born on February 27 (the birthdate she shared with her dad), 1956 to Dennis and Darlene (Benshoof) in Stanley ND. The family moved to the family farm at Knox, ND a few months later.

Diane went to school in Knox, York, and Leeds. She graduated from Leeds High School in May of 1975. She earned her Data Processing degree from North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton in May of 1976.  After college she worked at the Gambles store in Leeds for a few years before taking a job with Ben Franklin store in Rugby in the early 1980's.

Diane decided to go back to college at Lake Region Community College where she graduated with an Associated in Arts degree in 1986.  While going to college she also worked at Hardee's for a number of years.  Diane took on a second job when Walmart opened in 1992 in Devils Lake.  She was one of the original employees and stayed with Walmart until she retired in June of 2020.

Diane loved to spend time with her family and friends.  She enjoyed playing card games and board games whenever the family got together. Don't let anyone try to tell you that she was not competitive! She also enjoyed spending time with all of her nieces and nephews.  Diane would go to their sporting events to watch them play whenever she could get away from work. Diane took after mom in the kitchen with her love for baking.

One of Diane's best memories is of the trip to Europe she took in March of 1988 with a group of people from Lake Region State College.  She came back from this trip with many stories, pictures, and great memories.

When she was young, she loved climbing on anything and everything.  Diane could be found climbing on dad's work bench in the shop. She was also found (one time only) sitting at the top of the 60' windmill on the farm.  She was only 3 or 4 years old when she pulled off that climb and scared her parents beyond words.

Diane is survived by her dad, Dennis of Rugby, ND; three brothers, Mark of Bismarck, ND, Stan (Sheila) of Rugby, ND, and Philip of Knox, ND; two sisters, Roxanne (Richard) Johnson of Leeds, ND, and Paula of Fargo, ND; 9 nephews and nieces, 9 great nephews and nieces, and 3 great-great nephews and niece.

Diane was preceded in death by her mom Darlene, her grandparents Lloyd & Olga Pierson and Bert & Madeline Benshoof; two brothers, Steven and Dwight.