Haviland, Diane

Other Events:

• Obituary: 19 Jan 2014; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Diane Magee Schmeichel
Anyone who spent time with Diane heard the phrase "We are so lucky!" peppered into the conversation at least once or twice. She was the rare person who grabbed joy whenever she could and was aware of how fortunate she was to have found it. Mom was raised in Antigo and told many stories about life on the farm with her brothers and sister. She rode horses like a crazy person, raced any neighbor kid brave enough to try and nurtured all strays that happened across her path.
The adventure of California called after high school but she settled in Pennsylvania, married and raised her two daughters there. Home and family brought her back to Wisconsin in mid-life (with much pouting and resistance from her two teen-aged daughters. Sorry Mom, you were right.)
Diane was a trailblazer and worked many jobs out of the norm of the day, to make sure her girls had the opportunities they deserved. Semi-truck driver, bartender, waitress, bus driver, newspaper delivery and horse trainer were just a few. She retired from Appleton Coated in Combined Locks.
She found her soulmate while trail riding her horse on the back roads of Appleton at the same time Delmar Schmeichel was jogging his Standardbred mare. It was love at first sight. Del brought her much laughter and love. Their combined sense of humor and positivity was wondrous - nothing was too big or problematic, just another story to tell. Del and Diane built an adventurous second-act life together. Good times usually included horses and family - camping, riding, racing, training and raising foals and Shar Pei dogs brought many happy times.
On Thursday, Diane died suddenly at home at age 74. Her positive spirit and love for all she was blessed with will be carried on with gusto by those she leaves behind, especially her beloved husband, Delmar Schmeichel of Appleton. She is survived by siblings Duane (Janet) Haviland of Shawano, Colin Haviland of Minneapolis, Ruth Haviland of Appleton and Keith Haviland, Marathon. She was a role model to daughters Johnna (Bob) VanDeurzen, Kaukauna and Amy Self, Freedom and to grandchildren Tanner and Bridget Self, Freedom and Ben VanDeurzen, Kaukauna. She will be sadly missed by Del's children Jean Marie (David) Hinds, Steve (Lynn) Schmeichel and Jeff (Martha) Schmeichel, all of Appleton. Grandchildren include Daniel (Nicole) Schmeichel, Sarah (Joseph) Murphy, Erica (Chris) Laabs, Matthew Schmeichel, Amie (Timothy) Campbell, Nichole (Brian) Mauthe and Bob VanDeurzen. She was preceded in death by siblings Richard Haviland, Gary Haviland, David Haviland and her best-sister-ever Moonyean Glasheen. Diane was loved by many nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, friends and fellow horse folk.
In accordance with Diane's wishes, a private family celebration will be held. To offer condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com. A memorial fund has been established in her name.
Thank you to her friend Mary Pleuss for the care and joy over the years and to the staff of Verkuilen Funeral Home for their comfort and support during this time.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on Jan. 19, 2014

Diane married Schmeichel, Delmar Edward 9 Sep 1997. Delmar (son of Schmeichel, Harold and Winters, Rosanna) was born Abt 1930, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; died 19 Jun 2018, Center, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; was buried 25 Jun 2018, St. Edward Catholic Cemetery, Mackville, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]