Diane Hughes Waisner, long-time resident of Centralia, MO, died Monday, February 22, 2022 at Lake George Assisted Living in Columbia, MO where she had been 
living since 2016.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 2:00 at Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home in Centralia, MO. There will be no visitation.
Diane was born December 31, 1934 on a farm in Henry County near Windsor, MO the daughter of Frank and Marge (Samuels) Hughes. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for the first eight years and rode her horse to school at times. The family moved to town prior to high school where Diane met Jerry as a young teen. The rest, as they say, is history! She married her high school sweetheart on June 12, 1955. After briefly living in Topeka, KS and Moberly, MO they settled in Centralia.
Diane and Jerry raised their family with faith and love embracing the traditional roles of their generation. She was a true homemaker and will always be remembered for her servant’s heart. Diane was happiest when she was giving of herself to family and friends, sharing her talents of cooking, sewing and gardening. She was intuitive and blessed others in simple ways that left a lasting example.
Diane is survived by a son Kirk Waisner and wife Monica of Atlanta, GA, daughter, Kelly Jones and husband James of Centralia, and son, Kory Waisner and wife Annette of Leawood, KS; grandchildren, Andy Jones (Corrie) of Tonganoxie, KS, Rusty Jones (Maggie) of Harrisburg, Daniel Jones and Lauren Chow of Concord, CA, Kyle Waisner of Mission, KS, Ryan Waisner of Chicago,IL, Emma Waisner of Irving, TX, great-grandchildren Kal and Luke Jones of Tonganoxie, KS and Elise and Lydia Jones of Harrisburg, MO. She was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Allee and is survived by a brother Howard Hughes and wife Deanna and brother-in-law Don Allee. Diane and Jerry loved the role of grandparents and took an active interest in each of their six grandchildren. Diane kept a journal of cute and funny things each child did and appreciated the individuality of each one.
Diane gave her heart to Jesus as a young person and trusted in that relationship for the rest of her life. She was part of the First Baptist church family for many years serving as Vacation Bible School and Sunday School teacher. In later years she voluneered with the AWANA program for youth.
Jerry and Diane enjoyed traveling during the early retirement years. They were able to see much of our beautiful country together. Highlights were several trips to Hawaii, a Panama Canal cruise, and a very fun mid-90’s California coastal vacation where they began a huge collection of Beanie Babies.
Later years found Jerry and Diane facing significant health challenges. Family and friends were inspired by her devotion as a caregiver to Jerry and her willingness to gracefully accept her own declining health. Memorial donations are suggested to Coyote Hill Foster Homes and may be sent in care of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home 104 S. Collier St. Centralia, MO 65240.
Online condolences may be left at www.fentonkendrickfh.com
