Deana Gruner

Deana Diane Gruner was born April 7, 1940 in Windsor, Colorado to Grace May and Leonard Hardwicke Roberts. On January 15, 2025 she joined her parents, her younger brother GK and husband Michael Gruner in heaven.

As a young girl, Diane had fond memories of catching and rescuing tadpoles from puddles and fishing with her brother. Sunday dinners at her grandparents' farm in Greeley provided warm memories of homemade marmalade and delicious fried chicken. She loved playing with the farm animals and adopting stray cats. She especially loved swinging on the front porch of the farmhouse while snacking on popcorn and drinking freshly squeezed orange lemonade! She enjoyed trips with her family to Mexico, California, Mesa Verde and Texas. Diane thought the huge roller coasters at Elitch Gardens Amusement Park were absolutely wonderful!

Diane's family moved to Albuquerque in 1945. She attended Monte Vista Elementary, Jefferson Middle School and graduated from Highland High School in 1958. It was at Jefferson where she learned to square dance. Diane continued her passion for dancing throughout her adult life. Diane was thrilled when she was able to attend an Elvis Presley concert as Diane loved music! Diane and her brother would attend movies at the Lobo Theater for 10 cents. In Diane's eighth grade autobiography she stated she wanted to be a secretary or model when she grew up! The last sentences she wrote in her book were: "Our family has taken in more lost cats than I can count. I wish everybody would be that way. Every animal and person should have a home." Diane was dedicated to all of her pets including: snails, turtles, Dixie the dog, a duck and fish.

Diane met her husband Michael on a blind date . According to Mike, Diane was beautiful, intelligent and vivacious! She was a joy to be around and he knew she was the one! They married December 26, 1959 and enjoyed 64 years of marriage. Diane had three girls, Kari, Laurie and Jeanne. She attended UNM while working as a secretary to earn her degree in education. Diane was determined and worked diligently to get her degree while raising three young girls.

Diane graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in May 1971 and taught first and second grades at Mitchell Elementary for 25 years. Diane was a very dedicated educator. She touched the lives of over 700 students! She loved teaching her students, especially reading and science. Diane had salamanders, a mealworm culture, an occasional tarantula, rodents, snakes, turtles and other rotating critters in her classroom- compliments of her husband's biology class and her three daughters. Diane knew how important and powerful a solid foundation was for her students' future growth. Teaching gave her a great sense of joy and accomplishment. After retirement, she continued to substitute teach for many years.

Diane came from a small family, but family was very important to her. She was a loving daughter and sister, devoted wife and mother, aunt, Nana and Great Nana. Diane lost her brother and parents at a young age, so Mike's family became her family. Diane and Mike started camping at Elephant Butte Lake with Mike's family in the 1960's in an old green army surplus tent. She was quite a trooper to camp with a four year old, toddler and new baby! Over the years Diane's family enjoyed camping and beachcombing on the California beaches, camping and hiking in Silverton, Rocky Mountain National Park and Pismo Beach. They enjoyed numerous cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and the Caribbean.

Diane taught her daughters to play the piano and to pursue other musical interests such as chorus and choir, clarinet and saxophone. She encouraged participation in school activities, swimming, gymnastics, confirmation classes and Campfire Girls. She was a troop leader for many years. Diane was proud that her three daughters all earned college degrees.

Diane loved baking Christmas cookies with her three grandchildren, Chris, Kara and Sara. She cheered for them at their soccer and basketball games. She always had educational materials at her house for the grandkids to explore and play with. Always a teacher, she would even drill them on multiplication tables while hiking in Glacier National Park!

During retirement Diane was active in Red Hat Society with former teacher friends, she enjoyed attending "Chatty Chicks" coffee group in her neighborhood and providing refreshments for the church coffee hour at Saint Luke's Lutheran Church. She and Mike attended St. Lukes for 60 years and enjoyed exercising almost daily at the gym.

Diane was energetic and had an incredible work ethic. Her family values emphasized love, respect, responsibility, and education. Diane was fascinated with mermaids and hummingbirds. She loved her family, flowers, walking at sunset on the beach, music and dancing. Diane was petite in body but mighty in spirit! In the lyrics of Don Henley "All She Wants To Do Is Dance". Dance Free Diane! Your memory will be cherished.

Diane is survived by daughters Kari Daniels and husband Mark, Laurie Dale and husband Mikal, Jeanne Evans and husband Glyn; grandchildren Christopher Daniels and wife Megan, Kara Daniels and husband Trevor, Sara Evans and husband Jessie; great grandchildren Jacob and Calder.

Diane's family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at A love for Life and Roadrunner Hospice. We are so grateful for the compassion, respect and care she received.

A private family celebration of Diane's life will occur in the spring. Interment will occur with Mike in Santa Fe National Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to Animal Humane, or Alzheimer's Association.