Diana Lynn Huckle

Diana Lynn (Tefft) Huckle, age 76, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2024, after a 34-year cancer journey. Diana was born on July 3, 1948, to Verl and Dorothy (Lambert) Tefft and raised in Warren, Michigan with her beloved younger brother, Tom. She attended Warren High School, Macomb Community College, and Wayne State University taking night classes to complete her degree. Diana’s father was a full-time fireman and her mother worked at the Detroit tank plant supporting WWII efforts while Verl was deployed in the Pacific. Both of Diana’s parents instilled in her the importance of hard work and dedication, love of family and friends, and service to others. Her 53-year marriage to husband Jim began soon after they met while working for General Motors at the Chevrolet Engineering Center in Warren. After starting their family, they left the Detroit area for a life-long career in the newspaper industry, co-founding a family publishing company in southern Michigan and later in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Nearing retirement, they created a family foundation allowing their work together to continue in new and meaningful ways. Their marriage was a true partnership; equal, loving, respectful and enduring. Diana’s passion for community service spanned many years and organizations. As a long-time member of Central United Methodist Church, she lent her quiet and steady leadership and engagement to numerous efforts including Safe Harbor, Central’s Community Meals program, Church Council - serving as Chair, and mission trips to Haiti with Soaring Unlimited in partnership with Michigan State University Medical School volunteers. Those who served with her know she always came with a beautiful smile, generous spirit, and compassion. Her kind and welcoming spirit was contagious. If something was difficult, she would bring a sense of calmness and determination to accomplish the task at hand. Diana had a variety of interests and talents she enjoyed and shared throughout her lifetime with music topping that list. Whether she was playing her piano or humming along to whatever song she was listening to, music always brought her great joy. She was also a voracious reader, avid crossword puzzle consumer, good card player, flower gardener, football fan, passionate panfish fisherwoman, quilter, excellent cook, consummate host, and above all, the best Nana to her three beloved granddaughters. She had an adventuresome spirit and enjoyed many special trips with Jim, family members and friends over the years. Living in Northwest Michigan, Diana found peace in nature - the woods, the water - all of the precious natural resources that surrounded her. It was nature, her faith, and her family that nurtured her soul. Diana is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Renee (Rob Mittelstaedt), Martha (Andrew Bowman); grandchildren, Mckenzie Bowman, Drew Bowman, and Olivia Mittelstaedt; brother, Tom (Lillian) Tefft; and dear extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents and infant brother. Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday, November 8, from 4-6 p.m. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, November 9 at Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. A luncheon will follow the service; a family internment will occur at Peninsula Township Cemetery. Please visit www.reynoldsjonkhoff.com to leave a message for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Diana’s honor to Central United Methodist Church Outreach Ministry, The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, or TART Trails.

Diana Lynn Huckle

July 3, 1948 - September 3, 2024