Diane Padrnos

Dates

Obituary

Diane Padrnos, 82, of Pearland, Texas, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on October 20, 2024. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 27, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell, SD. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Funeral Mass with a 9:30 AM Rosary. Burial will be alongside her husband, Dennis, at Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Diane Elizabeth Padrnos was born on July 9, 1942, in Britton, South Dakota, to Harry and Helen Nelson. She grew up in Kulm, North Dakota, and graduated from Kulm High School in 1960.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northern State College in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1964.  After completing a year of teaching at Sisseton High School in Sisseton, South Dakota, Diane moved to Washington, D.C., where she joined Senator George McGovern’s staff, first as Assistant Press Aide from 1965 to 1967, then as the Senator’s Field Representative in the Mitchell, South Dakota Field Office.

While organizing the Tenth Anniversary Salute to the Senator in Mitchell, she met her future husband, Dennis Padrnos.  They married on September 2, 1967, at Holy Family Church. 

In addition to raising three children, Diane was active in the Mitchell community.  Her many volunteer contributions included: a Mayoral Appointment to the Mitchell Housing Authority, president of the Mitchell Area Arts Council, president of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary, lay minister at Holy Spirit Church, Chairperson of the Dakota Wesleyan Centennial Ball, a Mayoral Appointment to the Centennial Board, and a Governor’s Appointee to the South Dakota State Arts Council, to name just a few.  Among her many awards and recognition received, Diane was the first woman honored as the Outstanding Young Citizen of Mitchell and the first woman ever honored as the Outstanding Young Citizen of South Dakota. 

In her professional roles, Diane was the Career Planning and Placement Director at Dakota Wesleyan University from 1981 to 1988.  Later, she became a real estate agent for Century 21.  In 1993, she returned to the classroom, teaching at Mitchell High School.  Her love of the profession and dedication to her students was evidenced by the many connections maintained by her students long after her retirement.  Following Dennis’ death in 2012, Diane relocated to Pearland, Texas.

Shared with her children and grandchildren was her love of sports, specifically Notre Dame football, New York Yankees baseball, and any sport or activity in which her grandchildren participated. Throughout her life, Diane’s positive attitude and generous spirit gained countless lasting and cherished friendships.

Diane is survived by her children: Michael (Michelle) Padrnos, Granger, IN; Beth (Aaron) Klein, Pearland, TX; Lara (Chris) Altenburg, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren: Samuel, Nicholas, Benjamin, Jacob Padrnos; Alison, Nelson, Wilson Klein; Brady, Brinley, Suttyn Altenburg; and sister, Carol (Dan) Prinzing, Boise, ID. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Dennis.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Mitchell Catholic Foundation for the Dennis and Diane Padrnos Memorial Endowment, which benefits tuition assistance at Saint John Paul II School, 222 N Kimball, Mitchell, SD 57301 or to a charity of your choice.

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