Diane Piane

Diane Lydia Francis Piane, 87, formerly of Wolf Point, died Jan. 16, 2025.

Born in Plentywood on Aug. 27, 1937, to Arnold M. Francis and Lydia Johansen, Diane and her identical twin sister, Donna, grew up in Medicine Lake with their four other siblings. In their youth, the twins often found delight in impersonating each other with their friends, a playful display of their close bond.

Tragically, their mother died a few years later, a loss which shaped Diane’s unwavering strength and compassion. Her humble beginnings in a close-knit rural community instilled her values of hard work, determination and a deep appreciation for her family, friends and connection.

At just 17 years old, she married her first husband, Willard, and began building a family, raising their five children; Cynthia Landsrud, Cheryl Conway, Ken Landsrud, Connie Doornek and Karen Samuels. Most of her time was split between working two or three jobs, taking care of the household and tending to her children. Despite her full schedule, she loved to play bingo, cards, make her own clothes, and go out dancing with her friends.

Whether she was tirelessly waiting on tables at the Sweet Shoppe or the Elks Club in Wolf Point, walking around town with her friend Evonne, cooking for her grandchildren or tending to her flower beds, she always kept on the move and giving to others.

It wasn’t until later in her life that Diane met Joe Piane, whose kindness and companionship brought peace to her busy life. Though their time together was tragically cut short, she carried the love they shared in her heart and nurtured the lives around her with warmth and devotion.

She was a safe place for her family — a source of wisdom, humor, comfort and unfaltering love. She had an extraordinary way of speaking without words, showing care in her actions, making others laugh and uplifting those around her. Her home was the hub of family life and joy, filled with the sounds of music, cartoons and the laughs of children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Piane; siblings, Gail, Derald, Donna, Doris and Mavy; daughter, Cheryl Conway; and grandsons, Noah Landsrud and Travis Fowler.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,