Dianne Marie Herner

Dianne Marie (Ward) Herner, 82, of Grand Chute, passed away peacefully, at home on April 4. 2024.

She was born June 23, 1941 to the late Alvin and Evelyn Ward of Minneapolis. 

On July 31, 1965, she married the love of her life, John Milton Herner, and they lived in Kansas City Kansas for a short time while John began his long career working for AT&T. They first lived in Greendale Wisconsin, then settled in Appleton, Wisconsin where they raised two children. 

Dianne first became involved politically as a “ Goldwater Girl” which she was quite proud of. After her children started Jr High she became politically involved by working for many high profile candidates such as George H W Bush, George W Bush, Senator Robert W Kasten, Governor Tommy Thompson, Senator Robert Dole and Elizabeth Dole who she became personal friends with. 

Dianne also was Second Vice Chairman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin and was nominated to be a delegate to two National Conventions. 

Dianne was nominated by her peers to spend six weeks in St. Petersburg Russia to teach women how to run for political office. She also met with the Australian Parliament on a special trip with her husband. 

Years later she continued to be involved politically on County Board in Appleton Wisconsin. 

She also worked for the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and managed several programs for nine years. She was highly respected and sought out to be a part of those unique and important programs. She and her husband were actively involved in the Appleton Yacht Club and loved to spend time on the water boating with their friends. 

She was an amazing wife and mother. She was preceded in death by her husband John M Herner, her Father Alvin John Ward, her Mother Evelyn Ward, and her sister Nancy Struble. She is survived by: Daughter, Noelani H Jacob [ John] of Grand Chute WI. Son, Brett Herner [Tasha] of Falls Church VA,  Grandson, Jace of Jacksonville FL, Granddaughter, Mara [Conner]  Albuquerque NM. Nephew Ward Leesburg AL, two nieces, Brucienne Ploog of Glencoe MN and Jennifer Struble of Plymouth MN. 

We thank the Nursing staff of ThedaCare AMC, Dr. Julie Wilson who went over and beyond her job as a compassionate doctor, Neuroscience Group Dementia Care Department of Neenah Wisconsin, ThedaCare Hospice program, her CNA nurse Carolyn, Hospice Nurse Tess and her close friend Cary Ludwig who assisted with her personal care. In place of flowers, donations can be made to Fox Valley Memory Project, Menasha Wisconsin.