Mrs. Diane Klause of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Aubrey Klause, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at the age of 79 years.

Diane was born in the city of Winnipeg Manitoba in 1944. Her parents Doug and Isabel raised her to be the kindhearted, caring, stubborn and hardworking woman she was. She moved to Northern Manitoba to follow her husband in the 70s, landing in Flin Flon where they started a family. While raising kids she improved her sewing skills, burning batches of cookies, gardening and complaining about how far away her parents were from her. The family moved to Kamsack and then Lethbridge in the early 80s. Diane remarried in 1984, however lost her husband in 1986. She rejoined the workforce as a single parent with Lethbridge Handi-bus and later with Lethbridge Family Services for nearly 20 years. In that time she was reconnected with a son she gave up for adoption in her teens that found her. She happily extended her family with the addition of his.

Diane had a gift for sewing, knitting, baking amazing cookies, quilting and swearing at the Toronto Blue Jays - her favourite team. While watching games, she would make mittens and scarves for refugee or immigrant families that showed up to Canada unprepared for the harsh winter climate. Between 60-100 pairs of mittens were made and donated each year. When possible, she would also make scarves and toques in all sizes from toddler to adult. Many were donated to women’s shelters as well. 

She left Lethbridge temporarily, pre-Covid, to try out Red Deer for a couple years. She found it very difficult to meet people or learn the layout of a town that is, admittedly, backwards geographically and couldn’t understand why avenues ran north/south there. Covid made it tough to meet people or make friends as she rarely ventured from her place. In 2021, she moved back to Lethbridge because she “missed the wind and grandchildren.”

She found a great home in Somerset House where she had several people she spoke warmly about. She enjoyed the south facing garden and sunsets, visits with other residents, finishing other people’s puzzles and sneaking home to watch the ball game. She also enjoyed teaching others to quilt and adventures with her lifelong (50+ years) friend Gail who also moved her from Manitoba. Never one to shy away from giving her opinion, she was quick to share a hug, a laugh, or give a word of encouragement in her own way. 

 She passed peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital on August 6, 2023, after some health issues.

She is survived by her big brother Craig and his family, her sons Kent (Gail), Jayson (Heather) and Jeff (Jaime). Her grandchildren Shaylynn (Jacob), River (Gaston), Kristin (Steve) and the youngest Ashton (Nathaniel). 

The great grandchildren that brought joy to her days were Kashys, Zoey, Charles, Hayden and Nova. 

She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and their families. 

To honor Diane’s final wishes we are respecting her choice to not have a funeral or ceremony. Although she loved flowers, she also requested we decline such gifts. 

The Family would ask, of those who wish to do so, that memorial donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Learn the signs of stroke and know how to respond when it happens. This knowledge helped keep her with us a little longer and we are thankful. 

Please feel free to leave your comments or stories about this wonderful woman below. 

A Celebration of Diane’s Life will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at WESTMINSTER HALL, 411, 16 Street North, Lethbridge, Alberta.