Nov. 1, 1944 – Nov 28, 2022
Diane Zahner, of Kansas City, Missouri, born on November 1, 1944 passed on November 28, 2022. Diane was a treasured mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. Diane was the daughter of the late Victor Henry and Lorene Agnes (Soden) Zahner. Diane adored her parents and grew especially close to her father, Vic, after losing her mother at a young age. In her early years, Diane grew up in Kansas City with her three siblings; Michaela, Donna and Bill. She enjoyed spending time at her Grandmother Goodrich’s house, family trips to Colorado and New Mexico, summer slumber parties on the screened in porch and taking the train to St. Louis to visit her sister Michaela in the convent.
Diane graduated high school from St. Teresa’s Academy in 1963, she attended Avila University and graduated with her License Practical Nurse degree. Diane worked as an LPN in an OB-GYN office for a couple of years. During her twenties she was involved with the several organizations including BOTAR, which is where she met her future husband, Benjamin Owen Knight Jr. Shortly after they married in 1970 and were stationed in Bangkok, Thailand during the Vietnam war, Diane had her firstborn, Stacey. She enjoyed entertaining friends and family as they traveled to Bangkok to visit the new family. Once the couple moved back to the states, they welcomed their second born, Benjamin, and their last child, Ashley. In addition to being a stay at home mom, Diane enjoyed antique shopping with Donna, participating in Junior League, relaxing at the pool, hosting dinner parties, and spending quality time with her dad. Diane and Ben enjoyed participating in the tennis club, pickleball, dinner club and traveling.
Diane and Ben divorced in 1985. Diane moved “out south” for a fresh start. This is where she discovered her love for interior design and traveling to new places. Diane was a social butterfly and made life-long friendships wherever she went, from Leawood, KS to Scottsdale, AZ.
In her later years, Diane nannied for several families and reunited with old friends, even her ex sister in law, Sarah Knight. She was a devoted Catholic and attended mass daily.
Diane loved spending time with friends and family, spoiling her grandchildren who called her Tilley rather than Grandma, reminiscing about her childhood, daily trips to Topsy’s and Mely’s Ice Cream to suffice her sweet tooth, taking “cat” naps with her two Shih Tzus, attending wine tastings, catching up with her high school friends at their monthly luncheons, watching the Young and the Restless, collecting cookbooks but mainly preferring to eat out, window shopping at the plaza, and enjoying an ice-cold Coca Cola.
Over the last several years, Diane deteriorated in health due to Alzheimer’s, and lost touch with many of her dear friends. Diane was blessed to have found many new friends, nurses and other residents, at the Evergreen Community of Johnson County. She was fortunate to have several caretakers including Verna, Gina, and more, who cared for her the entire length of her stay. Our family is forever grateful for these amazing women and men.
Diane was preceeded in death by her parents, Victor H Zahner and Lorene Agnes Zahner, and Sister Michaela Zahner.
Diane is survived by her children; Anastasia (Stacey) Knight Oldham (Brian Oldham), Benjamin Owen Knight III (Amanda Knight), Ashley Knight Reed (Aaron Reed); and five loving grandchildren (Madison Reed, Jackson Oldham, Gavon Reed, Griffin Knight, Cullen Knight); and brother, William (Bill) Zahner (Becky Zahner).
In honor of both twins, Donna & Diane, a visitation (9:30am) and funeral mass (10am) will be held on Thursday July 6th 2023 at the Queen of Holy Rosary – 7023 W 71st St. Overland Park, KS, with a graveside service to follow.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday July 6th, 2023 between 5-7pm at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse – 9101 Nall Ave Prairie Village, KS 66207. All is welcome.
In Diane’s 22 year battle with early on-set Alzheimer’s, she participated in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s with her family and friends. Diane wanted to do everything she could to help prevent others from being impacted by this disease, she talked about donating her body to science. In lieu of flowers, please donate to 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Kansas City, KS/MO: Ashley Reed | Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
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