Diane Reiss

A beautiful and classy lady left her worldly body to begin her eternal life on March 22, 2007. Diane was born November 30, 1937 to Willis and Ruth Jackson in Billings. She graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1956. Diane worked at various jobs from the age of 15 and took a job as a dental assistant for Dr. Harold Pressman while still in high school.

Diane met John Reiss, a handsome and charming newcomer to the U.S. from Germany, and he swept her off her feet. They were a gorgeous couple and married in 1957. John had started a small typewriter business and Diane soon joined him to help run the business. Star Office Machines continued to grow over the last 50 years from its downtown beginnings on 1^st Ave N. and a later addition of a store at West Park Plaza to its current location at 1505 Ave. D. Diane had the great foresight to buy the land years before they would build a beautiful new building to house the business. Diane probably should have been a real estate agent - it was a true passion for her.

They had three children together, Lietta, Greg, and Renee. Throughout their marriage John and Diane were a busy social couple. They loved to party and dance till the late hours. Many of their friends were European and they had many wonderful times together. Parties at the Reiss house or cabin were filled with food, drink, music, and laughter. Life could not be much better than at those times. They had purchased a beautiful place in Red Lodge and enjoyed the beauty and surroundings until John's heath began to fail. Her husband of almost 46 years passed away in June of 2003.

Diane loved her children and felt fortunate to work with them at the family business for the past 27 years. She also had the great fortune to work with her mother Ruth, who is still there today. She always said she felt she had the greatest children anyone could ask for. Diane had three grandchildren that she adored and was extremely proud of. She enjoyed watching them grow into wonderful young adults. The kids always knew it was special when grandma could slip away from the business to attend an event in which they were participating. Sadly, she will miss the high school graduation of her first grandchild by two months.

In her earlier years, Diane was involved with many clubs, groups, and organizations. They were all relative to the stage she was at with her life and children. They ranged from teaching Sunday school to being the youngest female ever to be the President of the Ladies National Office Machines Dealers Association. She put her heart into whatever she became involved it. Diane was an ever curious student. She loved learning. Her interests ranged from history and politics to music and had a major soft spot for animals. She could be found watching the History Channel, PBS, Travel or the 24 Hour News Channel. Regular TV was a waste of time for her. When she wasn't working she would scour the real estate magazines and always knew what home or piece of property was for sale. She had an amazing memory and recall. She was totally devoted to the business and good friends knew where to find her and "when" to find her, as she was a notorious night owl.

Diane is survived by her mother Ruth Jackson; her children Lietta Bourne and fiancé Bob Hanson, Greg Reiss and his wife Cindy, and Renee Lesueur and her husband Larry; her three precious grandchildren Brenna Bourne, Lindsey Reiss, and Brian Lesueur, all currently in high school. Diane had one brother, Willis Jackson, Jr of Billings and one sister Julie Ebadirad of Yuma, AZ. She is also survived by many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly, and by her Sister-in-law Johanna Sasich and families. She was preceded in death by her husband John and her father, Willis Jackson, Sr.

The family would like to thank her "Birthday Club" friends and many other good friends for their visits, cards, flowers, calls and prayers of loving concern. Additionally, they thank the staff of Rocky Mountain Hospice for their amazing amount of support in only two days of working with Diane and the family before her passing. Diane had an extra special angel in Renee who was a constant source of support for her mom.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 27, at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park. A reception will be held at Hilands Golf Club following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Margaret Rigby Scholarship Fund at Billings Senior High School, or to Zoo Montana.