LYONS — Diana Kathleen Deal, 72, of Gravois Mills, Mo. passed away on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 at her mother’s home in Peculiar, Mo.  

Diana was born on Sept. 27, 1947 in Cheyenne Wells, Colo., the daughter of Al and Ginny (Crowdes) Gerstner. She graduated from Great Bend High School in Great Bend, Kan., continuing her education at Fort Hays University in Hays, Kan. for three years after attending junior college. She met the love of her life, Terry Deal, and they were married on Feb. 14, 1970, to this union, one son was born, M. Shane Deal. She spent her career between being a teacher and a trainer at Curves Fitness Centers, but her greatest career was when she was able to be a stay at home mom while raising Shane. She was the epitome of a wife and mother, being involved in all the sports that Shane participated in throughout his youth and ensuring she was there to support Terry in all of his endeavors as well. During her life, she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, remaining active until her passing, and she was always involved with the Catholic Church, whether singing in the choir, volunteering for projects, or helping to raise funds for a good cause.

Diana was an avid reader, loved traveling, and had a great passion for boating and the lake. Terry and she would split their time between their house at Lake of the Ozarks and their house in Sun City, Ariz., which meant that Diana had a wealth of friends wherever she went. She would often be found with those friends playing a good game of Bridge, Pinochle, or Mexican train. Diana had a bigger love though for her family. Family gatherings were something she always enjoyed especially if it involved the extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins; however, her grandchildren were the light of her life. A goal for her was to instill good manners in her grandchildren, often joking with them about sending them to “Charm School.” To say that she would be missed by those who knew her would be an understatement, she was truly a a great matriarch of her family and will leave a hole in the lives of all who knew her.

Diana was preceded in death by her father, Al and her brother, David Gerstner. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Terry Deal; her son, M. Shane Deal; her grandson, Carson Deal; her granddaughters, Lexie Deal and Arin Deal; her brothers, Dennis Gerstner, Mark Gerstner, and Joe Gerstner; and many extended family and friends.

A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville, Mo. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, June 26, 2020 at Lyons Municipal Cemetery in Lyons, Kan. with Father Patrick Kotrba officiating. Memorial donations are suggested to American Heart Association or American Cancer Society in Diana’s name in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Home

214 West Ave S 

Lyons, KS 67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 14, 2020