Diane Kathaleen Neufeld nee Wirch

Diane Kathleen was born on December 28, 1943, to Edward and Margaret Wirch of Warren, Manitoba. The eldest of three children, she spent her early years helping at home, preparing meals for the family while her parents and two brothers worked the farm. In her school years she loved sports of every kind, but playing hockey most of all!

During these early years, Diane accepted the Lord as her personal Saviour and was baptized soon afterward.

After high school, Diane took her first job at the CIBC (Canadian Bank of Imperial Commerce) in Winnipeg, the start of a lifelong career in banking. She later moved to the BMO (Bank of Montreal), where she would spend the remaining 30 years of her career.

In early 1966, at the age of 22, Diane met John at a church youth function, and it was, you could say, love at first sight. They were engaged that Fall and married on December 10, 1966. The newlyweds settled in Winnipeg, renting an apartment, and began their life together.

Diane and John were the “cool” aunt and uncle, that us nieces and nephews could relate to. Young at heart, they could always be found at family gatherings hanging out with us rather than with the other uncles and aunts. They never had children of their own, but there was no denying they loved us more than anything. We were their blessing, and they were ours.

One evening at their house on Minto Street in Winnipeg, about 16 of us nieces and nephews crowded around their dining room table for a game of Rook with multiple decks. It was complete chaos, and so much fun.

Who can forget the way Diane would tilt her head, smile, and giggle? Her laugh was warm and contagious. She was such a happy, bubbly lady, and she showed her love through kindness.

Diane was not shy, and one may say she was a trailblazer. A nephew, Gord tells of taking his new wife, Sheri, to her first Mennonite family gathering. The men were seated in the living room and the women in the kitchen, and Sheri was lost. Should she sit with her new husband, or with strangers in the kitchen? Diane promptly took her by the hand and said, “We’ll go sit with our husbands,” and they did. The room fell quiet. At supper, when the men usually ate first, the two women again joined their husbands. Tradition was broken, and a new era of Mennonite gatherings began.

John and Diane were lake people. First, they had a seasonal lot on Bird River, and after retirement, a cottage on Lee River. With a boat at the dock, Diane made it her mission that every one of us learned to water ski. I think every nephew and niece has a vivid memory of Diane in the water, steadying the new skier, then shouting “HIT IT!” In winter, we made trips to nearby ski hills, and the group was always the same: John, Diane, and us nieces and nephews.

The next chapter of their lives took them to the open road on motorcycles. They rode thousands of miles and covered much of the continent. Diane eagerly took on the challenge and learned to ride; touring alongside John on her own Honda Shadow, earning the respect of their biker friends as a tough “motorcycle mama” who was afraid of nothing.

Diane and John also loved to travel, especially to warmer climates in winter. They went on numerous cruises and spent eight winters in Texas.

Diane loved music and played both piano and accordion. She also loved cross-stitching; each project took about six months, and she completed many. Diane also enjoyed gardening and had many houseplants. Her garden was lush and complete with flowers.

Above all, Diane loved the Lord and read her Bible faithfully. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School to the children from the military base near their home on Minto Street.

In her final years, Diane faced the difficult journey of dementia and was lovingly cared for at the Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home. It was there, on November 8th, 2026, that she passed peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 82, to be with her eternal Father. In December, John and Diane would have celebrated their 60th anniversary. All of us have witnessed how deeply they loved each other, and how very much in love they remained to the end.

Diane was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Margaret (née Schroeder) Wirch, and by her sister-in-law Faith (Ron).

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, John Neufeld; her brothers Ron Wirch and Ivan Wirch (Annamarie); her step-sisters-in-law Nettie and Helen; and many nieces, nephews, and their families. Diane will be deeply missed by family and friends alike. She holds a special place in all our hearts.

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