Diane K. Schwenke

Diane Kay Schwenke, 61, passed away Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at her home near Bonners Ferry from pancreatic cancer.

With the help of Hospice, Diane was able to stay at home. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband and daughter holding her hand.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry with interment following at Grandview Cemetery.

Diane was born Nov. 4, 1946, in Lincoln, Neb., to Jerry and Betty Ilkenhons. She attended public schools in Lincoln and graduated from Lincoln School of Business.

Diane married Dean Schwenke on Jan. 15, 1966, in Lincoln. They moved to New York City for a brief period and then to Nogales, Ariz., in mid-1966, where Dean worked on the southern border for U.S. Customs.

In 1974, they moved to the Canadian border at Turner, Mont., where Dean was port director of Customs. In January 1980, Dean was transferred to Porthill, where he worked until retirement in April 2004.

They both enjoyed living in “God’s country.”

Diane belonged to St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

She was a member and held the office of president in Xi Alpha Mu, the chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

Diane enjoyed crafts, flowers arrangements, sewing, soap making, making jewelry and decorative cards.

Her love for her family was very deep and her happiest moment was the day her granddaughter, Quinn, was born. Diane was a very thoughtful, helpful and a grateful loving woman. She always had an extra plate ready for anyone who stopped.

Diane also loved animals very much. She will be missed.

Survivors include her husband of Bonners Ferry; daughter Lori A. Plato and her husband, Owen V., of Bonners Ferry; granddaughter Quinn J. Plato of Bonners Ferry; and brothers Jerry Ilkenhons and his wife, Sandy, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Jan Ilkenhons of Missoula, Mont.

The family suggests memorials be made in honor of Diane to Concerned People For Animals, 6649 Pierce St., Bonners Ferry, Idaho, 83805.