Dianne Carol Cardinal

Dianne Carol Cardinal, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Rush City, Minnesota, on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the age of 79.

Dianne was born on January 20, 1945, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Leverne and Audrey Langston. She was raised in the Twin Cities alongside her younger sister, Jean, and graduated from Patrick Henry High School. Dianne’s adventurous spirit and compassionate heart led her to meet the love of her life, Douglas Cardinal. The two were married on June 27, 1964, at the Catholic church, beginning a life together filled with love and adventure.

Together, Dianne and Douglas lived in Osseo and Princeton, Minnesota, before settling in Rush City, where Douglas built their dream home on Rush Lake. Their home became a hub of warmth and hospitality, hosting many parties and gatherings over the years. Dianne’s love for her family and community shone through in everything she did.

Dianne was the proud mother of three children—Todd, Theresa, and Becky—and a devoted grandmother to ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In her professional life, she was passionate about making a difference. She was involved in a variety of roles, including performing puppet shows with Lollipop Productions, working for Head Start, serving as a Guardian Ad Litem, testing children at Rush City Elementary School, helping run the family business Cardinal Construction, preparing taxes at H&R Block, working customer service at Dennis Kirk, and even obtaining her real estate license. Dianne’s dedication to helping others, especially children, was evident in every aspect of her work.

A woman of many talents, Dianne had a deep love for the outdoors. She enjoyed tending to her beautiful flowers and canning the vegetables from her garden. She also cherished her time on the lake, whether sailing or relaxing on the pontoon boat. Dianne found joy in the kitchen, where every meal she created was a labor of love and a reflection of her passion for cooking. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and her home was always filled with warmth, joy, and the spirit of the season.

Dianne had a deep and unwavering faith in God, and she embraced a personal, transformative relationship with Jesus that guided her path and filled her life with purpose. She was a passionate and dedicated volunteer, lending her time and energy to a wide array of community organizations and events, always eager to make a difference. Dianne was known for her kind heart, radiant smile, and ability to make everyone around her feel special. Her generosity, warmth, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Dianne was preceded in death by her parents, Leverne and Audrey; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Helen; her brother-in-laws, Dennis and Marvin; and her sister-in-law, Janet.

Dianne is survived by her husband, Douglas; her sister, Jean (Tim); her brother-in-law, Larry (Joan); her sister-in-law, Gloria; her children, Todd (Heidi), Theresa, and Becky; her grandchildren, Courtney, Dominick (Alli), Alex, Madison, Hannah (Justin), Isaiah, Kiana, Marshall (Kaylee), Cheyenne, and Sierra; her great-grandchildren, Matthew, Carter, Mason, Jace, Haven, and Adalee; her nephew, Brent (Shannon); her nieces, Pam (Gary), Laurie, Kathy (Dan), Denise (Bill), Danelle, Debra (Joel), Dyane (Winford); her caregivers, Dennis and Jana; as well as many other family members and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Dianne’s life will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., with a gathering of family and friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City. Dinner to follow at the Rushseba Town Hall, 51533 Forest Blvd, Rush City, Minnesota.

Dianne’s legacy of love, kindness, and dedication to others will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service~Olson Chapel www.FuneralAndCremationService.com