Diane Marie Flom, age 77, of Faribault and formerly of Wanamingo, died on December 23, 2025, at Mill City Senior Living, Faribault.
Memorial Services will be held at the Boldt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Faribault, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be held at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Faribault, in the spring.
A memorial visitation will be held at Boldt Funeral Home & Cremation Services for one hour prior to the service on January 4, 2026.
Diane Marie, daughter of James and Gloria (Brandenburg) Burmeister, was born on February 25, 1948, in Faribault. Diane graduated from Faribault High School and went on to attend Mankato State University, where she earned a degree in elementary and special education. On July 25, 1970, she married John Flom, their enduring love lasting more than 53 years. She dedicated her career to teaching, serving as a first-grade and special education teacher in Kenyon and later in Kenyon-Wanamingo, where she touched countless young lives with patience and care. Diane retired at the end of the 2010-2011 school year after forty years of service with Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoyed quilting and sewing, sharing her talent generously with others. Her giving spirit was especially evident through the many quilts she lovingly made for family, friends, veterans and Ruth’s House of Hope. She devoted many hours to volunteer work with the Rice County Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, and numerous food shelves in the area.
Diane enjoyed traveling with her husband, especially winters in the South, and exploring many national parks. These travels brought her great joy and reflected her love of learning, nature, and new experiences.
Diane is survived by her two daughters, Amy (Aaron) Hinz of Goodhue and Anne (Kevin) O’Banion of Faribault; five grandchildren, Emma and Hayden Hinz, Trigg (Callie) Sellers, Tyler (Slade) Benda and Olivia (fiancé, Jake Kiese) O’Banion; great-grandchildren, Colbie, Crew, and Clay Sellers, Hendrix and Hudson Benda, and Baby Benda on the way; siblings, David (Cynthia) Burmeister and Debbie Burmeister.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, John, in 2024; brother, Donald Burmeister.
