Diane Marie West

A visitation for Diane West, of Hancock, Minnesota, will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 4-7:00 p.m. with a time of Sharing of Memories at 7:00 p.m at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris.  

Diane Marie Benish, the fourth of seven children, was born on September 17th, 1948, to Charles and Laura (Meyer) Benish in Alexandria, Minnesota. Diane graduated from North High School in 1966. While in High School, a young man, Leslie West, caught her eye, and they formed a friendship and later began dating her senior year. Upon graduation, Diane took an Administrative Secretarial position at North Memorial Hospital and on July 12, 1968, she was married to the love of her life, Leslie West, at St. Ann’s Church in Minneapolis. They made their home in the Minneapolis area throughout their early years, and began starting their family, Mark and Jennifer, with a third child on the way, Sara, they moved to Coon Rapids in 1978. In 1981, the family went to Hinckley, MN to a hobby farm, where they could live life a little more relaxed and less hectic. It was at this point Diane hit her stride, she always welcomed family and friends to spend the weekend. As her children grew older, Diane became known as everyone’s mom. From 1995 to 2001, Diane, Les and Sara lived in Colorado, to allow for year-round work for Les, Diane worked at the Adams County Courthouse. After their stay in Colorado, they moved back to Anoka, and in 2006, they made one final move to Hancock. While in Stevens County, Diane worked at the Stevens Community Medical Center and Ameriprise Financial.

Diane loved life; she loved reading, watching movies and crocheting. She was also known for her cooking and baking, especially her cheese wheels, cheesy potatoes’, chicken noodle soup with dumplings, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. Diane loved tending to her vegetable garden and would later just do it for enjoyment. She absolutely adored and cherished her grandchildren; she loved going to as many events as she could or calling them to see how everything went. Diane was always around when something, or someone needed mending, a hug, a kiss on the cheek, or just a talk. Diane loved playing cards. In addition to her love of life and family, it is only fitting to include that she was SOOO much fun to be around, Diane was sassy, spunky, smartassy, and would be quick to “Flip Ya the Bird” in just... Diane was absolutely loved and adored by everyone who was lucky enough to have her in their lives.

Diane died peacefully, after a strong willed and courageous battle on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Julia’s Place in Hancock, Minnesota, she was 76 years old.

Diane is survived by her husband of 56 years, Leslie ‘Les’ of Hancock; children: Mark (Tanya) West of Buffalo, Jennifer (Mike) Walter of Belle Plaine, and Sara (Nick) Harris of Sandstone; their 10 grandchildren: Jaylynn Peterson of Hinckley, Laine Peterson of Isanti, Tristan West of Buffalo, Lauren Walter of Vermillion, SD, Audrey Harris of Sandstone, Dawson West of Alexandria, Laci Harris of Sandstone, Olivia Walter of Belle Plaine, Julia Walter of Belle Plaine, and Riley West of Buffalo. Siblings Jayne Benish, Pat (Jack) Olson, Chuck (Cathie) Benish and Mike (Joan) Benish, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. Diane is preceded in death by her parents: Charles and Laura; her sisters: Judy and Sharon; and her father and mother-in-law, Les and Grace West.

A special heartfelt Thank you from the Family too: Jayne, Corinne, Pam, Gary, Jimmy, Cathy, Lindy, Kristen, Karen, Betty, and the staff at Julia’s Place. Without you this would be unbearable.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Diane.