Dianna Wilson 1944-2021
Dianna Lee Wilson, 77, of Holton, passed away Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born May 26, 1944, in Soldier, the daughter of Donald J. and Donna Gladys (Davis) VanDonge. Dianna grew up in Soldier and graduated from Soldier High School in 1962.
Dianna was heavily involved in the community of Holton. She ran a daycare service for many years. She worked for the Holton Chamber of Commerce as administrator and retired in 2006 after serving more than 17 years.
She was inducted into the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 2016. Dianna was very active in the activities of the Holton Ball Association for more than 45 years. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Holton VFW Ladies Auxiliary as well as a Girl and Boy Scout leader.
On Nov. 27, 1965, Dianna was united in marriage to Willard “Willy” Dean Wilson at the Soldier Christian Church. They shared more than 55 years of marriage.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Dennis VanDonge; a sister, Daisy Howe; and a stepgrandson, Ryan Cox.
Dianna is survived by her husband, Willy, of the home; seven children, Tim Wilson (Jeanette) of Olathe, Tom Wilson (Sally) of Holton, Rob Wilson (Kristy) of Holton, Donna Pool (Randy) of Circleville, Kristi Wilson-Ricks (Mark) of Blue Springs, Mo., Matt Wilson (Sharon) of Holton and Terry Wilson (Gemma) of Holton; a sister, Deloris Beam of Circleville; two brothers, Donald VanDonge (Evie) of Topeka and Danny VanDonge (Shirley) of Havensville; 19 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Soldier Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Dianna will lie in state Sunday, Oct. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Dianna Wilson Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
