Joanne Frances Arletta Diefel

Joanne Frances Arletta Diefel, age 84, passed away peacefully at her home with hospice on April 3, 2019, due to a long battle with COPD.

She was born March 15, 1935, in Fairview to Ora and Fanny Yadon. She married the love of her life, Leonard Diefel, in December of 1949.

Family and friends and neighbors were Joanne's delight. Over the years, many laughs and good times were had around the kitchen table playing cards, board games, sharing family stories or just visiting. As with any life, there was hurt too. Losing her 12 year-old grandson in 1989 was a pain that would and could never heal for her.

She was a good dancer and light on her feet ... she loved all kinds of music and really enjoyed dancing the polka. Back in the day, she loved bowling, exercise class in the swimming pool at the YMCA with her daughter Gayle (okay, not so much the exercising, but she loved the visiting in the pool), shopping and generally just being with her "good and faithful daughter" Gayle ... as she liked to call Gayle. (Gayle just loved that.)

She also shared her love with food ... like her awesome German Chocolate cake she baked from scratch for her son Rick's birthday every year, fried chicken and all kinds of delicious dishes. She loved crotchet and cross-stitch. She gave away many of her works over the years. Joanne loved crossword puzzles and it would take a mighty tough puzzle to beat her.

She was the most warm-hearted generous and kind person you could ever know.

We love you and will miss you with all our hearts. Your love has touched us all deeply.

Joanne was a charter member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Billings.

Joanne is preceded in death by her loving husband Leonard and her beloved grandson Lance.

She is survived by her three sons and one daughter, Randy (Jo), Mike, Rick, and Gayle; grandchildren Eric Diefel and Sam Diefel, Chad Skretteberg, Berni (Bruce) MacLean, Launi Salcido, Issac Salcido, and Jennifer Salcido; and seven great-grandchildren.

Please join us celebrating her life at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 8, at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 709 Newman Lane, with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to her church: Christ the King Lutheran Church in Billings.

I am the soft stars that shine at night, do not stand at my grave and forever cry, I am not there...I did not die.