Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Diane Barbara Ochs Martinson went home on November 17, 2023.
She was born December 4, 1940, to Mary and Anton Ochs in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She grew up in Aberdeen, living in the two-bedroom home she shared with her parents and 3 sisters and brother.
She graduated from Central High School in 1958 and from Presentation College in Aberdeen in 1961 with a degree in nursing. She loved being a nurse and her giving, helping spirit made her great at her job.
She met her husband, Gordon in 1965, and they were married on June 11, 1966. Dianne became an instant mom to Michael and Michele Martinson, Gordon's two young children. They made their home in Aberdeen and welcomed another child, Michaela in 1967. They soon moved to Longview and Kelso, Washington where she worked as a nurse for the next 5 years.
In 1972, Dianne and her family moved to Sioux Falls and then again in 1974 to Pierre, South Dakota. The family finally settled in Worland, Wyoming, in 1979. There she worked for Washakie Memorial Hospital for the next 26 years in various nursing roles and finished her career as the Director of Nursing.
After retiring in 2005, Dianne and Marty moved to Billings, MT where she embraced her most coveted job, the role of being Nana. She spent the next 13 years helping take care of her grandsons, Mathew and Tyler.
She enjoyed reading, spending time with family and friends and traveling with her husband.
Dianne is preceded in death by her husband, Marty, and her sister, Marie Blando, her mother Mary Ochs and her father Anton Ochs.
She is survived by her son Michael (Susie) of Ogallala, Nebraska; daughters Michele (Kelly) of Thornton, Colorado; and Michaela (Craig) of Billings, Montana; Sisters: Jeannie (Gary) Aspen, Linda (Bob) Lehman and brother Ronald (Shari) Ochs; grandchildren, Nicholas, Luke, Isaac, Kyle, Hunter, Mathew, Tyler and Great Granddaughters, Mabel Martinson and Ellie Rae Johnson along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is scheduled for spring of 2024 in Billings, Montana. Dianne has been cremated and will be buried after her memorial with her husband in Yellowstone National Cemetery.