Dianna Mae Gibson

Dianna Gibson, beloved and devout wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by her devoted husband and daughters on November 16, 2025, at the age of 80. Dianna was born the 2nd of four daughters on September 19, 1945 to Lyle and Esther (Fox) Hansen. She graduated from the “new” Oshkosh High School in 1964, and later in life earned a Technical degree in Mechanical Engineering from Moraine Park Technical College.

Dianna gave birth to two beautiful daughters, Heather in 1973 and Kristen almost two years later in 1974. They were and remain as unique and special as night and day! They were the light of her life and kept her perpetually on her toes.

As an engineer at Kimberly-Clark in the 1980's, Dianna was a role model for her daughters, showing them how to be a pioneer at a time when it was uncommon for women to have leadership roles in a field like Engineering. It was a very important time in the early 80's for her children to learn what a strong, intelligent, confident woman could be.

Dianna was an important leader in other ways as well. As a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, she served on the council several times, the planning committee for the new church, helped with the prayer chain, wrote cards to members, and helped with many special church events. She and Jim became great friends with Pr. Bob Rosenberg and spent many an afternoon talking about any and everything! Dianna had many close friends at Calvary whom she has thought fondly of over the years.

As a dedicated mother, Dianna led by example in other important ways. She taught Heather and Kristen warm and expansive love by showing them how to look for the people who needed help, taking them cookies, bringing them warm clothing or games for the children, and visiting to help older neighbors decorate at Christmas. Dianna's heart knew no bounds of compassion for the needy. She taught her daughters that violence and cruelty were never the answer, and protected them fiercely (as a mother does!) from hurt and harm at school and in life. She championed her children's passions, such as Kristen's dancing and singing, and Heather's piano and cello. Her heart knew no bounds of love when it came to supporting her children.

On December 19th, 1987, Dianna married the love of her life, James Gibson, and gained two sons, Jim and Tom. Together they traveled extensively through the United States, Canada, and Mexico, going on hiking adventures. There is almost nowhere in North America that they have not been, their sense of adventure was so great! They found deep Southwestern canyons (like their deep trust in each other), bright East coast lighthouses (like the happiness they created together), towering mountain peaks in Canada (towering like important goals they reached for together, and achieved), stark Mexican and Arizonan deserts (like the medical challenges they faced together), and boundless Alaskan-cruise oceans (as boundless as their love for each other is).

Outside of her work and family, Dianna dedicated herself to more passions and hobbies than most people discover in a lifetime! There was nothing she couldn't figure out how to do. Just a few of her hobbies included: needlepoint, petit-point, keeping up with politics, cooking, baking, building projects in the house, designing houses and drafting the house plans (seriously), collecting historical and new southwest Native American Pottery (only buying from Native peoples!), floral arranging and wreath making, photography, antique collecting and refinishing (we all have at least one table and chair she redid). She was also a voracious mystery reader to the end!

For those who knew her best, Dianna leaves behind these legacies and lessons: philanthropies of generosity and kindness that touched the lives of those who needed help, tireless service to her churches, neighbors and friends; how to love completely and deeply, even when starting over in life; and to trust Jesus and special live-giving angels when they walk across the stormy sea and tell you "Take Courage! It is I. Do not be afraid!" Matthew 14:7

Dianna is survived by her steadfast husband of 38 years, James Gibson; her daughters, Heather (Adam) Watney, and Kristen Ruck; her sons, Jim (Paula) and Tom (Karen) Gibson; her bright and curious grandchildren, Rachel (Sam) Stern, Kyle, Brady, Christopher James, Ryan, and Caden; sisters, Susan Spanbauer, Doreen (David) Pugh, Cynthia (Peter) Brengosz; dearest cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Esther Hansen, and many aunts and uncles.

A celebration of Dianna's life will be held on Friday, November 21st, at 11:00 am (10:00 am visitation) at Orange United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Calvary Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, WI. We'd like to thank all the doctors in Arizona and North Carolina who gave so much to her care over the years, and particularly to her special angel who gave the gift of life to Dianna 7 years ago.

We love and will miss you so much, our beloved Di, dearest mother, our Micky, and cherished friend. We know you are in our Heavenly Father’s garden with Esther, family and friends, and pets and grandpets who raced to bid you "welcome!" Beloved Dianna, save us a seat at the feast table, for we know you will make sure the meal will be the best, and the apple pie crust is perfect! Our time apart will be but a blink of an eye until we can delight in each other's company again.