Diane Kay Stafford

Diane Kay Stafford

HOLDREGE, Nebraska -- Diane Kay Stafford 50, died in her home in Holdrege sometime between July 9 and July 15 of 2013.

She was born July 20, 1962, in Imperial, Nebraska, to Carl and Gail Stafford.

She attended Lamar Grade School and graduated from Chase County High School in 1980. She attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln from 1980 until 1983, majoring in art.

She worked for a number of years in Loveland, Coloroado, mostly as a caregiver in homes for the mentally challenged.

In 1997, Diane returned to Nebraska to seek employment and worked in various capacities in Benkelman, McCook and Minden, Nebraska. Most of her work was in the field of health care. She decided to return to the University of Nebraska at Kearney part-time in recent years to pursue a degree in creative writing and was within a few credit hours of receiving a bachelor's degree at the time of her death in July of 2013.

Survivors include her parents, Carl and Gail Stafford of Haigler, Nebraska; sister, Lois Stafford/Burchell and husband, Danial Burchell; brother, Donald Stafford and wife, Cristina; and beloved nephews, Conner Burchell, Garrett Burchell, Carl Stafford and Christian Stafford; niece, Clara Burchell; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services are Saturday, July 20, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Imperial, Nebraska with Lay Pastor Melody Newman officiating.

Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.