Diane M. Viesselman, age 79, of Wells, MN passed away August 21,2024 at Clark Crossings in Wells, MN. Visitation will be Friday, September 6, 2024 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells, MN. The memorial service will be Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00am at Open Doors United Methodist Church in Wells, MN with Pastor Chris Leistra officiating with lunch and fellowship to follow the service. Diane’s family is grateful to the staff at Clark Crossings and her hospice nurses for their acts of kindness.

Diane Marie (Kolflat) Viesselman (1945-2024) was born in St. Paul and spent her childhood in rural Dawson, Minnesota—a place where many Scandinavian immigrants settled to farm. As a curious youngster, she spent hours exploring the wooded river that ran through her family’s dairy farm. She found company in the woodland animals and developed a lifelong fascination with birds and plants.

Diane attended a one-room country school before graduating from Dawson High School. From an early age, she enjoyed entertaining and would perform tumbling and tap-dancing routines while donning Shirley Temple curls and sequined leotards.

As a teen, she donned her matching gloves, shoes and handbags and frequented weekly dances at the ballroom in Montevideo. Diane’s affinity for travel was born with a teenage road trip to California, with her beloved cousin Carol, to a young Disneyland, still surrounded by orange groves.

After graduation, she set off for Mankato State to pursue an education degree. There she met Kent Viesselman, whom she married in 1965. After spending a few years in Lamberton, they moved to Wells. Their family grew to include three children and five grandchildren.

As a Master Gardener, Diane’s legendary green thumb was evident in her expansive garden ––and lives on through the many plant cuttings shared with people over the years.

She loved singing in several choirs and exposed her children to the arts early, planting seeds that would later bear much fruit.

Diane taught a generation of students at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Easton. Then, she began a second career doing decorative wall painting. For decades, she also volunteered to keep score at local track meets.

Upon retirement, Diane and Kent were often at their Lanesboro camper, traveling to see their children or making a yearly winter drive to Oklahoma, for a dose of sunshine.

Faith was central to Diane’s life and provided her significant comfort. For many years, she volunteered at Wells United Methodist / Open Doors Church in a variety of ways. She treasured her friends and greatly enjoyed bible studies, day trips and parties with them. She appreciated their visits during her time at Clark Crossings memory care home.

Diane adored her Shetland Sheepdogs and her family imagines her now in the most lush garden, surrounded by singing birds, with her beloved Fido and Lulu, who have been waiting for her.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Joel and Mabel Kolflat; an infant granddaughter, Ingrid; her daughter-in-law, Michelle, her parents-in-law, Cort and Opal Viesselman; and her half-sister, Susan Graf.

She is survived by her husband, Kent R. (Wells, MN) and her children: Kris, Kent D. (Buzz) & Gwen; Kreg & Stine; her grandchildren: Katie, Trent, Blake, Dagny and Petra; her cousin, Carol Brunner; her in-laws: Cort & Violet Viesselman & family, Keith & Connie Viesselman & family; and her nephew, Gary Wilkins & family.