Diane K. Cone (Schurman), 66, of Fremont died Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont after a battle with cancer.
She was the daughter of Carroll and Phyllis (Knoell) Schurman born November 15, 1958 in Fremont. She lived on the family farm near Nickerson. On July 22, 1977, she married Kenny Cone at her Grandparent’s (Hank and Erma Knoell’s) air-conditioned Church, First Lutheran in Fremont.
After graduating high school, Diane started her career as a mechanic’s A\assistant at the Amoco gas station on the corner of 23rd and Broad in Fremont. That is where she met Kenny and where they fell in love with each other. In February of 1977 at Kem and Clara’s 40th wedding anniversary Kenny proposed to Diane. After they were married in July, Diane took the role of Household Engineer at the Cone’s domicile. On February 23, 1978, Diane became a mother on that Thursday at 8:40 in the morning. Matt was such a wonderful baby, and did so well when they welcomed him into their apartment. She enjoyed taking pictures of Matt and documenting them. When Matt was three, they moved into the House off 21st avenue in Fremont, where Diane continue her career as a Household Engineer. On June 20th of 1986 Diane became a mother again when Mark was born. He was also a happy baby. Diane was very involved with taking care of Mark’s health issues and homeschooling.
After Matt and April were married and blessed Diane and Kenny with two grandsons, Diane continued her loving nature in helping care for Mason and Andrew when they were little and enjoyed following the grandkids in all their activities. After Mark and Tina got married, they blessed them with 3 granddaughters and another grandson, Daine also enjoyed spending time with them as they were growing up. Diane was always the biggest fan of any of her grandkids. She always wanted to know what activity they had going on, or what event they were heading off to. She loved supporting them anyway possible, always making sure they had the supplies needed to go along with the activities her grandkids enjoyed doing. She especially loved getting hugs from the grandchildren whenever possible. Diane also enjoyed making the grandkids snacks, treats, and the desserts that they loved.
Diane was blessed to have the heart of a servant of God. Diane was never one that wanted to be in the spotlight, in fact she rather disliked any kind of recognition over the things that she did. She loved to be able to do things anonymously, even with that she served in so many different ways over the years. It all started when she was a Candy Striper at the Fremont hospital. Diane enjoyed playing piano for Kem’s Luther club at church when she was younger. Diane also served at the Fontanelle Church in many other ways; she was on the Worship and Music committee, The Alter Guild, was active in the Bible studies at Salem, and would also play the Paino for services. Diane was a lifetime member of the Salem Fontanelle Church.
Diane was never one to be vociferous about her faith, but that’s because she didn’t need to quote Bible verses, or go into deeply religious conversations. Instead, she would show her faith by her actions. She had an amazing Prayer shawl and Prayer Square ministry that she had documented over 700 different shawls that she had made and distributed to people in need. For many years she also touched many people’s hearts with her From The Heart newsletter. Diane loved writing that every week, sharing funny stories, and what made it really fun is she would slip in some of the family happenings as they would pop up. We will never really know how many lives she touched, it had to be in the 1,000s. She was a shining example of how to live your faith.
About a year ago Diane’s health had started to decline, and at the beginning of the year she found out that she had stage 4 breast cancer. To her true stubbornness and will, even the ER doctor couldn’t believe she was walking on a broken leg. She had to spend some time at Dunklau Gardens for healing and rehab. During that time Diane got to know all of the staff very well, and was a beacon of light to a lot of the staff and residents there. She always had a smile on, even on the bad days. She was such a hard worker at her therapy, that she got recognized as Resident of the month. She never lost sight of all her grandchildren’s activities while she was there. Diane was always excited when grandkids would come and visit. Anyone that visited her at Dunklau, knew upon arrival you had to check out the fridge and the snack drawer.
In March Diane had to go through some palliative radiation. Due to circumstances, it was in Omaha and Dunklau couldn’t transport her. Matt and Mark jumped to the rescue and rented a van to take Diane back and forth. They made the best of it taking her on “adventures” after each session, which always included stopping and getting a treat from somewhere. She truly appreciated all the work and hours in the background that everyone put into caring for her and Kenny. In May Diane was able to go back home for a while and be with Kenny, the two of them were almost inseparable. In July Diane had another turn in her health and had to return to Dunklau Gardens, ironically to the exact same room. All her grandkids and visitors also enjoyed ice cream with her during both of her stays. The younger grandkids would almost always ask “can we get ice cream if we go see Grandma.” Diane enjoyed all her visitors that she had during her stay there. She really enjoyed it when folks would bring in a root beer freeze, or some of her favorite … cheese curds. Diane loved sharing stories from the past, she had a memory like none other. She had stories from when she was a kid on the farm, to things that Matt and Mark had done, and loved reminiscing about the grandkids. Her favorite story was about the red and white gingham dress with a chicken and a worm on the front of it that her grandma Clara had made for her. She wore that dress on the first day of kindergarten. Diane was the 411 for the family, if you couldn’t remember someone’s name or the details of a particular event… Diane had the answer, or would go and research and find the answer.
We want to thank everyone who, gave rides, called, sent flowers, visited, or just sent prayers, as she was going through everything. It meant a great deal to Diane, and her entire family.
Diane was preceded in death by her father Carroll Shurman, grandparents: Hank (Erma) Knoell, Kermit (Clara) Schurman, in-laws: Wellington Selvester (Kathrine) Cone and Sister-in-Law Sandra Cone (Emanuel)
She is survived by her husband Kenny Cone, mother Phyllis Schurman (Knoell), children: Matt (April) Cone, Mark (Tina) Cone, brother Bill (Kathi) Schurman, grandchildren: Mason Cone, Andrew Cone (special friend Becca Houtby), Kayleigh, Karlena, Koralynn, and Kamden Cone.
Survivors also include Kenny’s siblings, Ronald Cone, Gary (Wanda) Cone, Jeff (Sandy) Cone, Mary Jo Hoiten, Sandra (Johnie) Howard, Jane (Butch)Brasel and Marcia (Scott) Tuschen all of South Dakota, Clinton (Kim) Cone of Schuyler, Nebraska, Harold Cone and Gerald (Chris) Cone of Fremont, Bradley Cone of Gig Harbor, Washington, and Cindy (Steve) Prall of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
There is no viewing but the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont. The memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 7, 2025, at Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Memorials are suggested to the church or Salem Lutheran Cemetery both of Fontanelle.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
