Diane Virginia Kinkade

On October 1, 2025, Diane Virginia Kinkade, age 83, passed away peacefully in Statesboro, Georgia, after a short illness. She was born in Longview, Washington, on March 20, 1942, to Walter and Lillian Hansen. She was the oldest of four girls. After her mother’s passing, at the age of ten, she helped her father raise her siblings, Nancy, and twins Jean and Janet. She met her husband, Keith Kinkade, at a cousin’s wedding. They married on January 30, 1965. Keith and Diane, a devoted wife and loving mother, set up a home in Montana, where their first four children were born. They later moved to Northwest Wyoming, welcoming three more.

Diane had a unique way of keeping track of her kids, calling out “Mike, Jim, Mary, Kathy, Keith, Rick, Beth,” often circling back to land on the right name. A cheerful morning person, she was especially joyful when shooing the children off to school. Although she never pursued a career, Diane worked part-time jobs to help make ends meet and served as a part-time chauffeur for her sons on especially cold or windy days during their paper routes. She loved singing in the church choir and Sweet Adelines barbershop chorus, as well as quilting, puzzles, and the occasional gamble.

Eventually, they returned to Montana, where Keith retired and later passed after battling dementia. Diane lived for several years with her daughter Mary’s family in Montana before moving to Georgia in 2023 to live with her son Jim and his wife Linda. A cherished family historian, Diane’s astounding memory for dates and events of even the most obscure relatives was a gift. Thankfully, she remained sharp and lucid to the very end.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Nancy, husband Keith, and daughter Katherine. Diane is survived by her children, Michael (Jacky), James (Linda), Mary (Bob) Brink, Keith (Carie), Richard (Jen), and Elizabeth (Tommy) Espinosa, along with thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Diane’s love, laughter, and remarkable memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. A memorial service will be held at a future date.