Diane Mary Falkner Obituary

MADISON - Diane Falkner (nee Selz), 72, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2025, after several years of declining health and kidney failure. Born March 30, 1952, in Sparta, WI, she was the daughter of Leo and Leila Selz. 

Diane was a 1970 graduate of Tomah High School. She loved growing up in Tomah-spending time with her grandparents, playing with her sister and cousins, and visiting the family cranberry marsh in nearby Warrens. Diane later moved to Madison, WI, with her best friend, Mary. While working at a dental office, Diane was introduced to her husband, Jeff, by her coworker/friend Janet (Jeff's sister). Diane and Jeff married in 1975 and were just six months shy of celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary when she passed.  

Diane worked for the University of Wisconsin for 33 years, retiring from the Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Education Science Department. Diane took pride in her job and happily gathered students under her wing, becoming a second mom to many, including Dr. Bekisizwe S. Ndimande, who was like a son to her.

Diane was 100% made to be a grandmother. She loved and adored her only grandchild, Carter, making many beautiful and lasting memories. Her favorite fact to share with anyone she met was that Carter was born 2-1/2 months early, arriving on her and Jeff's anniversary. She also loved her grand fur-babies, Frankie (dog) and Rascal (cat). 

Diane loved Coca-Cola and seldom missed a chance to enjoy this refreshing beverage. She enjoyed exploring Olbrich Gardens, visiting Madison’s Henry Vilas Zoo, and camping around Wisconsin. Diane was an active member of St. Dennis Catholic Church in Madison for over 30 years.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Leila Selz; parents-in-law, Creighton and Virginia Falkner; and brother-in-law, Randall Falkner. 

She is survived by her husband, Jeff Falkner; daughter, Kimberly (Christopher) Adams; grandchild, Carter Adams; sister, Sharon (Mike) Cunningham; sisters-in-law, Janet (Mark) Sylvester, Mindy (Scott) Billings, and Dorothy Grigsby; aunt, Margaret Draak; nephew, Daniel (Dan) Sylvester; and nieces, Virginia "Ginny" (Dayton) Falkner and Texas Elizabeth "Liz" Falkner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at QUEEN OF APOSTLES PARISH/ ST. DENNIS CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road., Madison, WI, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with a light meal to follow. Family and friends who wish to view the Mass via LIVESTREAM may visit Diane’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the Mass. A visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. A private burial will take place in Tomah, WI. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Olbrich Gardens, St. Dennis Catholic Church, or Parkinson’s research. 

Special thanks go to Dr. Karen Lentfer, MD, of Wildwood Family Clinic in Madison for all the years of caring for Diane; Parkside Senior Living of DeForest, WI;  St. Mary's Hospital nurses and doctors on 5SW, and Polly and staff from the St. Mary's palliative care team.

“Say not in grief that they are gone, but give thanks that they were yours.”-Hebrew Proverb