Diane Farrell

Diane “Wendy” Farrell, age 70, of Bennington, died 9/27/15. Preceded in death by parents Albert & Marie Fleming, sisters; Alice Faye Fleming and Gloria Jean McKay, nieces; Lorna Jean Fleming and Melissa Ann Mosley, and great niece Sarah Hayley Fleming. Survived by husband Rick of Bennington, children; Madonna (Joe) Ritter of Omaha, Rick (Carolina) Farrell of Colombia, South America, Stacy (Daniel) Saltzman of Bennington, Scotty Farrell of Bennington; grandchildren; Nicholas, and his daughter, Bryleigh Brown, Ashleigh and Brody Ritter, and Dawson Saltzman, brother Larry (Diane) Fleming, nephew Lavon (Kelli) Fleming, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral service Thursday, 10:30 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bennington. Interment at Flower Hill Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday from Noon to 8 PM with the family receiving friends from 6-8 PM at the funeral home in Elkhorn. Memorials to Boys Town. Diane Fleming Farrell was born in Picayune, MS on November 18, 1944 to Albert and Marie Fleming. She was the youngest of the four children. Her birth name was Mabel Diane. She was named after a beautiful school teacher her mother admired. Diane’s daddy nicknamed her “Deuce” since she looked just like her older sister Alice Faye. The nickname was eventually changed to “Ducie” and she was called this by friends and family in Mississippi her entire life. Diane committed her life to Jesus as a young girl. Her faith and church were very important parts of her life. Diane met Rick Farrell at a softball game in the fall of 1967. She was swept off her feet by his cool car and eventually by Rick himself. They married on January 7, 1968. Rick brought her to his hometown of Tingley, IA to live later that year. Rick introduced her to his family and friends in Iowa using her other nickname, “Wendy”. Everyone loved the quiet and shy Wendy. She became very close to Rick’s little sister Stephanie. Wendy also became very close with members of the England clan. Rick’s best friend and cousin Larry England with his wife Joyce adopted Wendy and made her feel like part of the family. There was a great deal of laughter and fun times. Diane became a mother to Madonna and Rick (formerly known as Ricky). She found her life’s vocation as a mother. Rick and Diane decided to embark on an adventure and moved their family to Saudi Arabia for Rick’s work. Diane fell in love with traveling and learning about new countries. While in Saudi Arabia they welcomed their “miracle” baby Stacy (many of you may be saying there’s another daughter?). Stacy was the only blue eyed baby in the hospital. After returning to the States, Rick and Diane welcomed their second “miracle” baby Scotty. They quickly decided to take steps to eliminate any additional “miracles”. Rick and Diane again decided to take on an adventure, this time in Algeria. Diane took every opportunity to explore and learn about each place she lived. She instilled a love of travel in all four children. Diane loved being a mother. She was a fierce advocate for each of her children. She coached all of the kids in baseball and softball. Yes baseball. That’s what happens when your husband is busy all summer working. She also made endless pans of brownies to sell in the snack shack and to send to school as treats. As the children continued to grow Diane decided to pursue another life-long dream and go to college. She wanted to be a teacher. In fact she felt a deep calling to be a teacher. She graduated proudly with her teaching degree one week before Madonna graduated from high school. In 1988 Rick and Diane moved the family to the Omaha area eventually settling in Bennington. Diane continued coaching softball in her new home. Rick and Diane made many new friends in the Bennington area. During Ricky’s senior year Diane could be heard in the bleachers cheering for him in football and basketball (maybe there was mention of “Ricky break his leg” during a particularly fierce football game). She was the biggest fan for her children and grandchildren and attended every event. After the death of her beloved mother, Diane decided to enhance and expand her teaching with a Masters in Special Education. After obtaining her Masters she taught at Cooper Village before joining the Boys Town Family. She developed strong friendships at Boys Town as she worked with the kids that she loved. Diane loved her life at Boys Town. It was more than a job for her. She worked with people she loved and taught kids that she loved. She worked with her “brother from another mother” and many other dear friends. Many of the kids called her “mother” or “grandma”. More than once, she would say she wanted to bring a child home with her. If she could have she would have adopted each and every child. It was very hard for her to retire in 2013. Diane enjoyed the retirement party thrown for her by Rick and her kids. She especially enjoyed the kind words from Father Peter about all of the work she accomplished with the children of Boys Town. Diane found an additional passion in her life when she became a grandmother to Nicholas in 1997. As always she embraced the new experience and threw herself wholeheartedly into being the best Grandma she could be. Six years later Ashleigh became the next beloved grandchild. Brody joined the elite crew of grandchildren almost 6 years after Ashleigh. Bryleigh became the first great grandchild born January 2014. Dawson was born just one year ago. Diane loved her grandchildren fiercely. She was always in their corner. Diane laughed when she saw a sign recently that said “Grandchildren are often spoiled because no one will spank Grandma”. This sign could have been written for Diane. She “spoiled” each of her grandchildren with love and attention. Diane spent hours in the back yard pool reading, sunbathing and playing with her grandchildren. For the last year Diane spent her days chasing after Dawson and occasionally Bryleigh and loved every moment. She packed a lifetime of love into each relationship with every grandchild. Rick and Diane continued their travel experiences throughout their marriage. They had a wonderful trip to Hawaii with friends, Jim and Barb Waters. Rick and Diane took his entire construction crew many times to Branson, Lake of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake. Rick and Diane also took a memorable trip to Las Vegas one year to celebrate their anniversary. Rick rented a car and they drove out to Vegas on ice and snow. They also drove home on ice and snow. Anyone who ever had Diane ride with them in a car knows that she was applying her “brakes” in the passenger seat and nagging Rick about his driving the entire trip. Rick and Diane went on many trips with their dear friends Bob and Jan Benton. They discovered Belize on one of their trips. Rick and Diane went back every year to Belize. Rick fished and Diane sunbathed and read. As usual Diane made friends. The hotel staff would take chairs out to the beach every day for her and bring her fresh flowers in her room. Diane took trips with her grandchildren as well. A few years ago on the way back from Mississippi, Diane and the family stopped in Branson. Nicholas, Ashleigh and Brody wanted to go to a water park. Diane had a blast going down all the slides. She loved every minute of the trip. Two years ago Diane went to California with Stacy, Madonna, Joe, Ashleigh, Brody and Scotty. She was so excited to take Scotty to Disney Land (almost as excited as Scotty). She enjoyed all of the rides. She reveled in the opportunity to watch her kids and grandkids enjoy themselves. After her retirement Madonna, Stacy and Diane went on a memorable cruise. Diane went snorkeling in Mexico for the first time and loved every minute of it. Rick and Diane purchased a second home at Lake of the Ozarks. Sitting on the deck with a good book became Diane’s favorite place. She made numerous trips to the lake and enjoyed the time with family. Many people considered Diane to be a second mother. She made friends wherever she went in her life. Diane made friends at work, with the neighbors and in the grocery aisle. She talked to every person she met. She enjoyed life and chose to focus on the positive even when times were tough. On the last day of her life she celebrated her best friend and husband Rick’s 29th birthday (for the 41st time). She was the life of the party, doing everything she loved with the people she loved. Diane visited with friends and family, passed out cake, and danced. She thought a helicopter ride sounded fun and she announced “I am going up, who’s going with me?” She lived her life to the fullest to the last moment. Diane passed away 9/27/15 at the age of 70. She was preceded in death by parents Albert and Marie Fleming, sisters; Alice Faye Fleming and Gloria Jean McKay, nieces; Lorna Jean Fleming and Melissa Ann Mosley, and great niece Sarah Hayley Fleming. Survived by her beloved husband Rick of Bennington, children; Madonna (Joe) Ritter of Omaha, Rick (Carolina) Farrell of Colombia, South America, Stacy (Daniel) Saltzman of Bennington, Scotty Farrell of Bennington; grandchildren; Nicholas, and his daughter, Bryleigh Brown, Ashleigh and Brody Ritter, and Dawson Saltzman, brother Larry (Diane) Fleming, nephew Lavon (Kelli) Fleming, and many nieces and nephews. We are not promised tomorrow. Cherish the time with your family and friends. Remember Diane living her life to the fullest.

Diane Farrell

November 18, 1944 - September 27, 2015