Diane Nelson
1950 - 2025
Diane Elizabeth Nelson (née Brooks), passed away peacefully in Lethbridge on Monday, October 13, 2025 at the age of 75 years and was welcomed home by our Heavenly Father and her beloved husband Eyrland.
Diane is survived by her two sons, Kent (Susan) Nelson of Regina, Saskatchewan and their family Genevieve and Gianna and Eyrin (Charmaine) Nelson of Barnwell and their family Alexandra, Austan and Anastyn. She is also survived by her father Ken Brooks of Calgary, sister Donna Downs of Creston, British Columbia, sister Devra (Joseph) Drewniak of Calgary, brother in-law Wilbur Card of Newfoundland and their families, along with very special friends Marta (Wojciech) Zuber of Taber and their family Ian, Oliver, and Benjamin; and Krystyna (Rafal) Kleczek of Coaldale and their family Aleksandra and Alicja.
She was predeceased by her husband Eyrland Nelson, mother Lorraine Brooks, mother and father in-law May and Percy Nelson, sister in-law Linda Gray-Card and brother in-law Les Gray.
Diane was born in Calgary on March 9, 1950 to Ken and Lorraine Brooks. She was the second daughter and middle child of their family. She attended and graduated school in Calgary where she met the love of her life Eyrland. They married December 5, 1975 and moved to Canmore for a short time and then on to Moyie, British Columbia to start their lifetime of adventures together. They shared fond memories there until moving to Taber in 1979.
Diane worked as an educational assistant for five years at Taber Junior High where she realized her passion for teaching. After earning her Bachelor of Education degree and later her Masters, Diane returned to start her teaching career at the Barnwell School, on to Vauxhall High School, W.R. Myers and finally to teach at her second home, welcomed by a loving community that became family, at the Hillridge Colony. Diane always went above and beyond to advocate for her students, putting her heart and soul into each kid to help them succeed. During these years she made numerous lifelong friendships that she held so dear.
Diane formed a strong sisterhood with her good friends who loved and supported one another all through the years. Their laughter therapy and devotion endured to the end. “Thank you ladies for always being there for her.”
Diane loved the outdoors and being outside. She enjoying many fishing, camping and hunting excursions over the years with her family and friends. Making trips to the west coast to fish, to Waskesiu Lake, and to Dutch Creek to camp and hunt. Being in her garden and backyard brought her relaxation and joy while she tended to her beautiful trees and flowers.
Diane also became a world traveller, visiting her bucket list destinations like New York, Cuba, China, Poland and Turkey. At the top of that list was a beautiful cruise to Alaska she was blessed to share with her son Kent and their family.
Of all these wonderful things in her life, Diane's most treasured moments were the ones spent with her grandchildren. Whether she was enthusiastically cheering on her "Allister McCallister" (Alex) at her Basketball and Rugby games, persevering the cold to watch Austan's football and curling events, and travelling many miles to catch his boxing matches, or excitedly attending Anastyn's volleyball and basketball games, or sharing her flawless artwork, her smile beamed. Diane delighted in spending time with granddaughters Genevieve and Gianna in countless trips made to Edmonton or they to Taber. She would impart her Nana brag when sharing all about Genevieve's accomplishments as dressmaker and crafter. She always affectionately referred to Genevieve as her little "peanut". Gianna remembers fond trips to Nana's house during the summer. Nana would ensure that the house was filled with her favourite foods and she would take her on special outings every day. The girls felt very fortunate to experience an Alaskan cruise with their Nana in 2024, they created many fond memories on this trip, noting that Nana was a really fun and active cruise passenger who socialized with anyone she would meet and participated in many activities including a hot glassblowing class.
Diane was also very talented and creative at ceramic designs and cake decorating, baking her signature 'Nana Birthday Cakes' for all of her grandchildren.
If you had a moment to spare she was sure to fill the conversation with tales of her grandchildren.
Diane was a life optimist often sharing advice on how to handle tough situations with strength, honesty and character. She will always be remembered for her enthusiastic personality, beautiful smile, keen fashion sense, kind friendship and loving spirit.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, October 17, 2025 between 6:30 P.M. and 7:30 P.M.
The service will be held at the Heritage Inn, 4830 - 46 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Diane's name may be made directly to the St. Michael's Health Centre (Palliative Care Unit), 1400 - 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta or to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2 www.albertacancer.ca.