Diane Kolberg

Diane Kolberg (Petersen), age 71, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Her passing was unexpected and comes at a great shock and tremendous loss to those who loved her, and those she loved. Diane had the biggest heart and always put the caring for others above herself. Her passionate faith in Jesus Christ, her love for her family, especially her two grandchildren, and her love to be with and help everyone and anyone was the heart of who she was.

Diane’s faith in Jesus Christ was at the center of everything she did and started at an early age. She was born in Stewartville, MN where she grew up attending Sunday services with her six other siblings. As the oldest daughter, Diane grew up helping to care for her younger siblings, setting the stage for her continued desire to care for others later in life.

As a young adult fresh out of 2-year nursing school, Diane’s love for the Lord and desire to help others already shown through. She joined Campus Crusade for Christ as a missionary nurse in Columbia, South America and lived there for two years. She became fluent in Spanish as she shared her faith and helped those in need, and she relished any opportunity to practice the language with others.

Upon returning to the U.S., Diane went back to school to acquire her 4-year nursing degree. Diane studied nursing in Moorhead, MN and it was there that Diane first met Ron, her husband of 45 years. Ron was visiting his cousin and was absolutely taken when he met Diane. They married a year later and moved to the Kolberg family farm in Pettibone, ND after Diane finished her degree.

Once at the farm, Diane immediately became involved in the local church, sharing her love of music playing piano and organ, which she was still actively doing. She would accompany many singers as well as sing duets with her husband, Ron, in church, at weddings and celebrations of life services. Diane also quickly grew to know the local community through her involvement in bible studies and love to be with people, getting to know them and lend a helping hand.

Diane was blessed with a daughter, and later two granddaughters who were her pride and joy. She relished being a mother and grandma, continuing to model and share her love of Jesus Christ. Diane was always in the crowd cheering on her daughter’s basketball games and tried to make as many soccer games for her grandchildren as she could to do the same for them. Her grandchildren loved her dearly and adored cooking together and playing school and family with Grandma.

Diane also made a point of attending as many special occasions as she could such as graduations, weddings or other special occasions. She was always the one behind the camera intent on capturing every moment. There were never enough pictures to be had, or enough patience from the little ones to satisfy Diane’s joy in capturing the best pictures possible.

Diane’s love for people and her love for relationships led her to have many friends and deep involvement in the community. She was an active member in many groups including numerous bible studies and prayer groups, ladies aid with her church, homemakers, and even served on the Board of Directors for the Dakota Women’s Retreat.

Her involvement and care for those community also led her to her first role as an RN when she was asked to work as a nurse with Home Health Services to care for those directly in her community. Diane thrived in a role where she was able to combine her education with her love to help others. Her role as a traveling nurse with Home Health led her to her calling as a nurse at Golden Manor Nursing Home in Steele, ND and later at Wentz Living Center in Napolean, ND. Even in her retirement, she still filled in as needed.

When Diane wasn’t with others, she was an avid gardener and loved to maintain a huge vegetable garden as well as many flowers and house plants. She had an amazing heart cared deeply for all of God’s creation.

Diane is survived by her husband, Ron Kolberg; daughter, Dana Hirsch (Brandon); granddaughters Ada and Abigail Hirsch; brother, Thomas Petersen (Lianne); sister, Rosanne Smith (Charles); brother, Larry Petersen (Julie); sister, Jenny Kollasch (Tim); sister, Judy Petersen; and numerous beloved nephews and nieces, and grand nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sonke and Corrine Petersen; and her brother, Duane Petersen.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 AM, Monday November 25, 2024 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Pettibone, ND.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Eastgate Funeral Service, Steele, ND. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM.