Dianne Kay Straate Blankenship

Dianne K. (Straate) Blankenship, 66, of La Crosse, WI, formerly of Waukon, IA, died peacefully with her family by her side, Monday, September 4, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. Memorial services will be held Friday, September 8th, at 1:00 PM at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Friends may greet the family after the services at the church. Burial will be held at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Dianne Kay (Straate) Blankenship was born on September 28, 1950, to Herbert Fredrick and Marian Bernice (Hesse) Straate in Waukon. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from high school in 1968. She loved her childhood years and family life, and often talked about the virtues and joys of growing up in a rural environment.  From her parents she developed a strong work ethic and self-discipline. After graduation she moved to the ''big city'' of La Crosse where she was employed in various positions, including working at Western College. Dianne married James Blankenship and were blessed with two children. During the years of their marriage they enjoyed traveling, golfing, and socializing with many friends and family. Dianne loved to exercise and she was very interested in health and human development, interests which became heightened by her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at the age of 32.

Dianne was a tremendous mother and generous woman whose faith in God and love of her children sustained her. She will surely be rewarded for her servant's heart, remembered for her courage in the face of adversity, and touched by her compassion and empathy for those who suffer. Dianne was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Brady and Gina, both of La Crosse, and her brothers: Lee (Diane), of Sturgeon Bay WI, Larry (Nancy) of Waukon, and Mark (Tammy) of Columbiana Al; and their families.  She was preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Marian Straate.