Dianna Kays

Dianna Kays, 61, Grand Forks, died Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 4000 Valley Square - Woodside Village, Oakcrest Unit, surrounded by her family. 

Dianna, the daughter of Edward Walter Kays and Marian Louise (Erickson) Kays, was born on February 9, 1958 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. She was raised and educated at Emerado and Larimore, North Dakota and continued her education at Aaker's Business College in secretarial studies. She was married to Richard Dahlen in April of 1983. 

Dianna worked as a truck driver for 10 years. She traveled from coast to coast in the southern states and later hauled potatoes and seed after moving back to North Dakota.  She also worked in retail management for 20 years. She loved being around people. Dianna loved to bake. She would often bake with the grandkids when they would come and visit. She was also very talented at crocheting, which she did while relaxing. She had a huge heart for animals. She had many stories of the horses, dogs, and other animals on the farm growing up. It broke her heart when she had to rehome her chihuahua, Tina Joe, and dauchound, Lil Man, after she got sick. Dianna’s greatest passion was her grandchildren. She very much enjoyed attending as many of their games, proms, or concerts as she could get to. Dianna also loved taking trips with her sisters. They enjoyed time at the lake, Christmas sleepovers, and random dinner dates.  Dianna was also a 3 time cancer survivor. She was strong, brave, and, as her doctors put it, a miracle patient. She never let being sick break her smile and tell you “Good morning” no matter the time of day. 

Dianna is survived by her mother, Marian Kays, Emerado, ND; sisters, Sandy Wilson, Davis, OK, Cathy (Dan) Schefter, Grand Forks, ND, Jan (Joel) Linneman, Emerado, ND, Amy (Dean) Raines, Pomona, CA, brother, Ward (Albin) Kays, Oklahoma City, OK; children, Nycole Morris, Mohall, ND, Heather (Jamie) Gibson, Mohall, ND, Martin (Kari) Dahlen, Fargo, ND, Cheryln Rainbow, Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Zavure, Madasun, Krynnthia, MacKenzie, Landra, Cordel, Ryker, August, Edison, Linus, Lucas, Bernice, Braxon; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Kays, birth mother, Juanita Glasscock,  and sister, Pamela Ganyo. 

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2019 in the Havig-Heen  Auditorium Chapel, 4000 Valley Square, Grand Forks. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service in the chapel.