Diane Ragus

May 12, 1937 - February 12, 2021

Due to current circumstances, services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers and other expressions of sympathy, donations may be given on Diane’s behalf to ESTHER, Faith Communities United for Justice by visiting https://esther-foxvalley.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=4

Diane Ragus, age 83, of Appleton, passed away February 12. 2021. She was born Marie Diane Luce on May 12, 1937 in Baltimore, Maryland. The daughter of Valentine A. Luce and Marguerite Gregoire Luce, she grew up in Linthecum, Maryland; Long Island, New York; Washington, DC; Flushing, New York; Bristol and Levittown, Pennsylvania; Hagerstown, Maryland, and Waltham, Massachusetts. Diane attended the Katherine Gibbs School and Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. In 1961, she joined the campaign staff of Edward M. Kennedy in Boston, and in 1962, his office at the U.S. Senate in Washington, DC. From 1965 to 1967, she was the personal secretary to Mrs. Joan B. Kennedy. In 1967, she married Walter M. McDonough. They lived in Denver; Washington, DC; Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia; and Northern Virginia. Her first marriage ended in divorce. Diane was a technical editor and writer for the JRB division of Science Applications International Corp. in McLean, Virginia, until 1989.

In 1983, Diane married James Ragus, a native of Appleton. They lived in Columbia, Maryland until 1989, when they moved to Wisconsin. It was here that she found a lasting home, most of all through her membership in First Congregational Church. There she served as a Stephen Minister, an adult leader for the Senior High Fellowship, and for several years as a mentor to young confirmands during the process of their confirmation as members of the church. She participated for many years in the theology discussion group convened by members of the church and open to all comers. Diane and Jim joined the Appleton Curling Club, and she managed to curl for 6 years, thanks to the forbearance of her fellow curlers. She was a member of The Wednesday Club from 1995 to 2012 and an honorary member thereafter.

She is survived by her husband, Jim; her daughters and their life partners, Connemara McDonough (Chad Brady) of Phoenix, Arizona and Amanda McDonough (Bill Higbee) of San Jose, California; her grandchildren, Jack, Mia, and Dagny Norbeck, and her brother, Charles Luce of Pahoa, Hawaii.

Due to current circumstances, services will be held at a later date. For more information and to express condolences, please visit www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.

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Due to current circumstances, services will be held at a later date.

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So sorry for your loss Mr. Ragus. I had the pleasure of spending time with you and your precious wife at both Riverview and BDM CC. She was an amazing lady!!! Julia

Was so sorry to see you lost your wife, Diane. I remember meeting her at one of Werner Kade's parties. She immediately talked to me like an old friend. Hope the Thompson Center reopens later this year and we can all meet again to play cribbage.

Jim - The Thompson Center on Lourdes is so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Dear Jim: I am saddened by the loss of your wonderful wife, Diane. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope to see you later this year. Gardner Orsted

Jim - My deepest sympathy for your loss. Diane was a class act, an intelligent, warm and witty woman. When you introduced her to Bobby Rammer and myself and we golfed together she treated us as if we were old friends.

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

Diane was something special. She had soul, you could see it in her smile. I am grateful to have met her in this life. She will be missed, dearly. My condolences to her family and friends.

My deepest condolences to Jim and Diane's family. Diane was a lovely lady and will be dearly missed by their many friends, neighbors and relatives.

My sincerest sympathy. Diane was one of the most amazing women I know. I am so blessed to have met her.

Condolences from our family to yours -- she will be missed.

Jim so sorry to see the passing of your wife.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.