Diana Vinje

Diana M. Vinje, 79 of Marshall. Loving Wife, Mother, Grandma and friend to all she knew.

Diana was born on July 3, 1938 and passed away after a short sudden illness on June 22, 2018 at the VA Hospital in Madison.

She has lived with her loving devoted husband of 52 years, Gerald G. Vinje in Marshall, WI. With their loving hands, they raised her two children, James W. Driver and Thomas H. Driver.

She was born in Norwood, Mass. to Everett A. and Phylis R. (Metcalf) Fenton/Dereberry. Diana was the oldest of four children. She was the only girl with three wonderful brothers, Fredrick (Nina) Fenton of Lincoln, CA, John (Kathy) Fenton of Davis, CA, and James (Sandy) Fenton of Redman, OR.

Diana is survived by her loving husband Gerald Vinje; sons James (Janine) Driver of Madison and Thomas Driver (Lora Thompson) of Baraboo; her seven grandchildren Jesse Driver, Jeffery Driver, Patience Decker, Dashari Deschner, Genna Driver, Brian Pulver, Xavier Smith; and her five great-grandchildren Kadence, Logan, Aaliyah, Aaden and Jaden. She is further survived by her first husband Jess Driver of Marshall; her sister-n-law Viola Olson of Madison; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her father Everett; mother Phylis; father-in-law Stanley; mother-in-law Berdella; brother James Fenton; brother-in-law Walter Vinje; brother-in-law Stanley Olson; and two grandchildren Tyler James Driver and Bradly Alec Driver.

Diana graduated from high school in Bend, OR. Shortly after high school, she enlisted in the United States Air Force (WAF) where she served her country proudly and with honor. While enlisted in the Air Force, she met her first husband Jess Driver and had two children, and they eventually made their way to Madison,WI. In time, she met the love of her life and her companion for the rest of her life, Jerry Vinje. She and Jerry loved to travel, and if they couldn't travel, they loved to go camping in the little piece of paradise and their "second home".

She worked many years for Culver Electric (until it closed) and Skipper Buds from where she retired. Diana just had the drive to continue working, so she went back to work for Kmart on East Washington Ave. and finally Walgreens of Sun Prairie where she opened her arms and her heart to all. She enjoyed helping and talking with all the people she met along the walk of her life. As she traveled through life people, came in and out of her life. Their connection to her life may have changed, but she never would let them forget that they were always a part of her life. She would always welcome the people that passed through her life with the caring and understanding that most wish for, and this was done by her without a skip of her heart beat.

She hand crafted 103 baby quilts for all her grandchildren, other children and grandchildren of people that walked into her life just because she wanted to share her love of life to all she could touch. She was a person that would always talk with anyone and call them her friends. Diana was a lover of owls, cows and chickens. She has a collection of over 800 cookie jars, but not a cookie in the house! She also has a cow and chicken collection that would fill a barn.

She is loved by more than just her family; she is loved for the life she shared will all of us. She would greet you with a "HI! How are you?!", and leave you with the warmest of hugs.

So too you, MOM, rest now with all the warmest hugs we can give you in return.

Visitation will be from 11:00-1:00 PM on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Cress Funeral Home, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 with a Memorial Service to begin at 1:00 PM with full military honors to follow.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
1310 Emerald Terrace
Sun Prairie, WI 53590