Diane L. Klunder

As a lifelong resident of Muskegon, Diane Klunder brought love and laughter into the lives of so many around her. She was honest and thoughtful of others, regularly sending her love in a card to those she treasured. A woman who was truly beautiful inside and out, Diane was the glue that kept her family together. Those who knew Diane knew that she loved to shop and that in her world, there was nothing better than a yard sale. Shopping was certainly her passion, but nothing brought her more joy than finding just the right gift for someone she dearly loved. Diane was blessed to find the love of her life with whom she shared more than 15 years. The timeless memories she leaves behind will be held near to the hearts of those who loved her dearly. The year 1944 was very much defined by WWII, but this was also the year that Franklin D. Roosevelt became the only president to be elected to a fourth term and the GI Bill was passed. People spent just .15 cents for a gallon of gas and .10 cents for a load of bread, and they enjoyed movies like Casablanca and Citizen Kane. It was during this same year that there was great cause for celebration as Wilma Jean Travelbee welcomed the birth of her daughter, Diane Lee, on March 5th. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Diane was the only child in her family and her mother raised her on her own during a time when single mothers were few and far between. Tragedy struck early in Dianes life with the death of her mother when Diane was just eight years old. She was then raised by her grandmother, Jane Travelbee, with whom she shared a close relationship. Diane attended Muskegon Public Schools and earned her GED. Life truly began for Diane when she became a mother to three wonderful children: Deborah in 1961, Chet in 1964, and Robert in 1968. She dedicated herself to nurturing her children, but nothing could have prepared Diane for the joy she would find in being a grandmother later in life. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, and she always made Christmas such a special time for them. In fact, planning for Christmas started immediately after Thanksgiving dinner as it was then that she collected her familys Christmas lists so that she could get right out and start shopping! Great and exciting changes were in store for Diane in 1989 when she met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Jack Klunder and they met when one of Dianes friends hooked them up at a party in Ravenna held at the home of another friend. There was an attraction between them that neither could deny and from that night forward, a love story had begun. After dating for a time, Diane and Jack were united in marriage on November 4, 1992, the same day of the month that they met. Throughout her life, Diane lived an active lifestyle doing the things that she enjoyed. Of course work was a necessary part of her life and for 42 years, she worked at Sealed Power, many of which were as an inspector. Everyone who knew Diane knew of her love for shopping, but it was shopping at yard sales that she loved most. Many people in Michigan dont care for winter because of the weather, but Diane hated to see summer come to an end because it meant the end of yard sales for awhile! She also enjoyed cooking, baking, and going to art shows, not to mention visiting Shipshewana and cheering on the Fruitport Eagles. It was well known, however, that the most important thing to Diane was the people she loved. She treasured spending time with Jack, her family, and her friends, regularly gathering for cookouts, dinners, birthdays, and holidays. Each year in November, Diane, Deborah, and her granddaughter, Andrea, would join Dianes closest friends for a weekend get-away to Traverse City. She also enjoyed camping throughout much of Michigan with those she loved most. Diane treasured the friendships she shared with Naomi Woirol, Karen Kedner, and Stephanie Nelson. She never forgot a birthday and made it a priority to send a card to those she loved for nearly every occasion including cards for her grandchildren on Halloween. Not only did Diane make Christmas a special holiday, but her grandchildren always loved discovering all of the surprises in their Easter baskets each spring. With an insatiable zest for life, Diane Klunder was a remarkable woman who gave so much to those around her. To Diane, life was about others, especially the family she adored. She worked hard, but loved having fun, too, even during the sunset of her life. It was quite a sight to see Diane whizzing down the driveway in her new wheelchair, laughing all the way. She is remembered as a beautiful woman with a big heart who was helpful and understanding in numerous ways. A true gift to those around her, Diane will be dearly missed and warmly remembered. Diane L. Klunder died Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Dianes family includes her husband of 17 years, Jack; daughter, Deborah (Patrick) Reed of Spring Lake; sons, Chet (Jean) Snarski of Reno, NV, Robert (Stacey) Daoust of Whitehall; 6 grandchildren, Andrea, Holly, Cody, Sean, Faith, Colton; great-grandson, Logan; sisters-in-law, Carol (Dave Gomez) Weaver of Hesperia, Judy (Roger) Kern of N. Muskegon; brother-in-law, Norm Klunder of FL; stepsons, Ken (Tammie) McComb, Jack (Michelle) Klunder, Jr. A service will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2010, 1:00 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes Muskegon location Muskegon, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Michigan.