Diane Whipple

Diane M. Whipple, age 65 of Dexter, Minnesota, passed away Monday, May 27, 2019 at her home. Diane Marie Newell was born in Rochester, Minnesota, to Lauren and Merna (Kleiber) Newell on July 31, 1953. She attended Lincoln Elementary School, Central Junior High and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1971. Diane then went on to attend Rochester Community College and Minnesota School of Business with a degree in Veterinary Technology with both state and national certification. On May 6, 1972, she married Ronald Whipple at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota. After Diane and Ron got married, they lived in Germany while Ron was in the service and their first son was born while they were there. The couple returned to Rochester and then in 1977 moved to Dexter where they still lived. Diane worked 28 years for Mayo Clinic in a variety of jobs in both hospitals and the clinic, 4 years as a certified Veterinary Technologist and 4 years as an Animal Health Department Manager at Runnings in Austin. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton, Minnesota, where she was involved in WELCA and served on church council. Diane enjoyed dogs and worked with Mower County 4-H Clubs. She won many awards working with her dogs. Diane belonged to the American Kennel Club and had several champion dogs, she served on Board of Directors for National Welsh Springer Spaniel Club, and was a charter member of the Rochester Minnesota Kennel Club, where she held various offices. Diane enjoyed all crafts, trips to “the cabin” fishing, and loved watching her kids and grandkids in sporting events.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Ronald Whipple of Dexter, MN; sons, Russel (Amanda) Whipple of Appleton, WI, Aaron (Karla) Whipple of Elkton, MN; six grandchildren, Airman First Class Bailey, Haley, Chloe, Alex, Lacie, Brittnee; two step-grandchildren, Logan and Brianna; brothers, Michael (Barb) Newell of Des Moines, IA, Bradley (Tracy) Newell of Plymouth, MN, Eric Newell of Racine, MN, David (Myong Hee) Newell of Oklahoma City, OK; four aunts and two uncles, Bonnie Newell, Burnetta Dicke, Marilyn (Fred) Kahn, Karen (Dale) Marxhausen; five nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lauren and Merna Newell; grandparents; two uncles, William Newell and Leonard Dicke; and one aunt, Elvira Carlyle.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton, Minnesota with Pastor Liz Erickson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, Minnesota, and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Elkton. Memorials can be directed to the Hormel Institute or St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton. Services are prearranged and performed with Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.