Diana I Westphal
February 10, 1939 - June 02, 2026
Obituary
MONONA - Diana I. Westphal, age 87, of Monona, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. She was born on February 10, 1939, in Binghamton, N.Y., the daughter of Sampson and Carolyn "Dolly" (Gonoud) James.
Diana graduated from Rochester Senior High School in Rochester, MN. with the class of 1957. She married Wayne Westphal on May 2, 1959, in Rochester, MN. Diana dedicated her career to caring for others as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for many years until her retirement in 1997.
Faith was a guiding light throughout Diana's life. She was an active member of the Lutheran congregations in the communities where she lived and most recently was a devoted member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Monona.
Diana’s family was at the heart of everything she did. She took great pride in caring for her loved ones and cherished the time spent with them.
Diana enjoyed reading, transcribing materials into Braille to help those with visual impairments, and playing Scrabble with her family. She also enjoyed taking walks and giving back to her community through volunteer work. Over the years, she volunteered at Wausau Hospital, the food pantry in Wausau, and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau. She further served the visually impaired community by reading news broadcasts for the WRRS program in Wichita, KS.
Diana is survived by her children, Judith "Judi" Will, Linda Westphal, Robert Westphal and Susan Westphal; grandchildren, Sean (Lisa) Will, Alexander (Kate) Will, Jesse (Becca) Heckendorf, James (Kayla) Westphal, Thomas (Christina) Westphal and Vicki (Eric) Abel; great-grandchildren, Olive, Colton, Madeline and Stanley Will, Talula Heckendorf, Lilly Ford and Jace Abel; and brother, Charles (Amy) James.
She was preceded in death by husband, Wayne; parents, Sampson and Carolyn; son, David Westphal; son-in-law, Rick Heckendorf; daughter-in-law, Annette Westphal; sister, Arlene Hamdeh; brothers-in-law, Raymond Westphal, Lawrence (Helen) Westphal, Harold (Betty) Westphal and Darold (Norma) Westphal; and sister-in-law, Elaine Green.
In keeping with Diana's wishes, no services will be held.
A special thank you to SSM Hopsice, especially her nurses, Deb and Charlie, for their exceptional care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420