Diane lost a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her family on September 25, 2025 in Calgary. Diane Joan Burton was born in Medicine Hat, AB on December 21,1944 to Art and Edna Burton. Her brother Donald and Diane were raised on the family farm in Tilley. She attended the Bethany, Renfrew and Tilley Schools. Diane was always active in sports and a majorette in the Tilley and EID bands. Following high school, she attended Mount Royal College and then U of C to become a teacher. In the summer of '64 she met her future husband, LeRoy Nelson. Diane taught junior high in Taber for 2 years. She received the Teacher of the Year Award after completing her first year and continued to receive accolades throughout her career. Diane and LeRoy married on July 15, 1967 and moved to LeRoy's farm in Scandia to begin teaching junior high in Vauxhall. The fall of 1969 brought Diane back to Calgary, and LeRoy followed after harvest was complete to finish her Bachelor of Education Degree. Diane and LeRoy welcomed their first son David 1970 and then Todd followed later in 1972 to complete their family. While raising her boys she did lots of subbing for various schools and taught various grade levels before returning to full time in 1985 where she eventually became the High School Math teacher at Vauxhall. While teaching, Diane supported the school's sports teams, was the teacher involved with the grad committee and her favorite was chaperoning numerous school trips to South Western Europe and Costa Rico. Her teaching career lasted 35 years when she decided it was time to retire. Diane's station wagons made many miles up and down the highway, taking the boys and their friends to their extra circular activities. She also enjoyed playing on the Scandia Longknockers mixed slow pitch team and was active on community boards and committees. Sewing was a passion from teenage years to the mid 80's when her excitement for knowledge of computers took over. Diane enjoyed camping and river boat cruises with LeRoy. Nothing could beat the time she got to spend with her sons, their families and the grandkids activities. Diane loved her yard on the farm. They lived in the old farmhouse for 6 years and she began planting trees for her future vision of where her house would go. The basement was built and became home for 10 years before they completed the upstairs. Diane enjoyed her garden, lawn and most of all the tall evergreens where numerous families of owls nested. For 12 years this was a highlight of hers to watch and take pictures of the owls. She even insisted that LeRoy make them a nesting box up in the trees after the original nest fell apart. After selling the farm Diane was thrilled at the opportunity to stay in the house and yard until they finally made the move to Brooks on July 1, 2023 to the Park Hilton. At the first annual meeting Diane became the treasurer of the condo board. She still loved to work with numbers. Diane is survived by husband LeRoy 58 years, son David (Deb Grosfield), son Todd (Julie) and grandchildren Jarret, Greg, Andria, Zach Nelson and Jaydee, Lex Grosfield, brother Donald (Jeanette) Burton, last remaining cousin Jim (Doreen) Burton, sister in laws Audrey (Les) Burwash, Carol (Henry) Dyck, numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Art and Edna Burton, in-laws Art and Esther Nelson, relatives, neighbours, and close friends. As a family we express our gratitude to the hospital staff in Brooks, Medicine Hat, Tom Baker, Arthur Child and Foothills for the exceptional care Diane received throughout the many years. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 2nd at 2:00 PM from the Heritage Inn and Convention Centre, Brooks. Interment at Brooks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to in Diane's memory to the Salem Lutheran Church, General Delivery, Scandia, Alberta   T0J 2Z0, Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300 Brooks, Alberta   T1R 1B3 or Cancer Society, 250, 325 Manning Rd NE, Calgary, Alberta   T2E 2P5 or charity of your choice.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted at

Smith Funeral Home Ltd., Brooks