Diane Eitrheim

Diane Carolyn (Johnson) Eitrheim received her invitation to the Heavenly Homecoming Party on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Diane was born in Hamburg, Iowa, on April 21, 1935, Easter Sunday, to parents Walt and Nola (Eleanora) Johnson. Diane was a star basketball player in high school as well as a beauty queen, winning the coveted title of Queen of the Popcorn Festival. In 1955, she was the runner-up for Miss SW Iowa. Diane went to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, graduating with a degree in Music Education. In 1958, she married her college sweetheart Jim Eitrheim. They moved to Oak Park, Illinois in 1959 where they lived for 31 years. Diane sold real estate with several agencies in Oak Park, IL beginning in 1978. She was always very personable, friendly, and easy-going. She was rewarded for her efforts, earning a spot in the prestigious Million Dollar Club. After 10 years of Sunday Open Houses and working to ‘close the deal’, she turned in her realtor badge and became a Title Officer. After their last child graduated from high school in 1990, Jim and Diane pulled up their roots and went back to where it all began, Sioux Falls, SD. Their final move was to their newly built home on a lake in Pequot Lakes, MN, in 2000. Diane was a student of the world and enjoyed traveling to many different locales throughout her 89 years. Over their 52 years of marriage, they lived in three states and joined three churches, singing in the chancel choir for each of them. It was from these choirs they created friendships that would last their lifetime. These are the very friends who attended her annual Lefse Party; a hot ticket to get at the holiday time. She was a lifelong member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for whom she served several stints as president. She also served as President of The Nisswa Women’s Club. Diane was someone who was never afraid of saying ‘Yes’ and did so often. She took on whatever project was at hand and successfully recruited help; all of whom enjoyed working with her for the greater good. The Nisswa Women’s Club Fashion Shows were a perfect example of that. Diane loved to help with the summer festivities of the Nisswa Stammen and the Lakes Area Music Festival. It has been remarked several times about her delightful sense of humor. Her stories and humor were never spoken in a hurtful or harsh manner; rather they always showed beauty, grace, and kindness to others. In the words of her friend: “Diane was like a spring day- She left people feeling uplifted with her radiant smile, sense of humor, and sparkling personality.” -L.R. Diane’s husband Jim, and her parents Walt and Nola Johnson, many friends and relatives arrived at the Heavenly Homecoming Party before her. Diane is survived by her three children, Kristofer Eitrheim (Pequot Lakes MN), Karin (Steve) Maas (Chanhassen MN), and Erik (Dawn) Eitrheim (Owatonna, MN), and her five adult grandchildren: Greta Maas, Ingrid Maas, Alec Eitrheim, Erik Maas, and Ava Eitrheim. We will gather August 3rd, 2024, at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa Minnesota to celebrate her life. Visitation will begin at 10am with service at 11am and committal in the Memorial Garden at noon. A luncheon will follow at the church. Service will be live streamed: Lutheran Church of the Cross - Nisswa, MN - Home (lccnisswa.org) Arrangements by Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter. Memorials may be sent to: Lakes Area Music Festival Memorial for Diane Eitrheim P.O. Box 96 Brainerd, MN 56401