Diann Dowling, 69 formerly of Ogallala and Grainton, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016 at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant.
Diann was born July 25, 1946 south of Maskell, Nebraska to Arden and Ina (Newton) Hangman. She graduated from Kellbert High School, Maskell, NE in 1964.
Diann married Francis Dowling on September 24, 1964. The couple made their home in the Laurel area until 1983. Relocating to the Grainton area at that time. Their lives were blessed with 5 children. Diann took great care of her family, and they remained the priority in her life. She briefly moved to Duncan, Oklahoma where she worked as the cook at an assisted living; but when one of her grandchildren was paralyzed in an accident, she returned to the Concord, NE area to be her caregiver until her own health would no longer allow. With her health declining, she moved to Paxton in 2014. After a devastating illness in August 2015, Diann made her home at Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.
Diann was an avid reader and loved to spend time in her garden. She was not an overly vocal person, but when she wrote letters, she had a way of expressing herself with great thought and eloquence. She was the soft-spoken caregiver and matriarch of her family.
Diann was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her children, Barbara (David) Gartrell of Paxton, NE; Michael (Terri) Dowling of Sutherland, NE; Penny Elliot of Moses Lake, WA; Mark Dowling of Newcastle, NE; Theresa Goodman of Paxton, NE; brothers, Odin "Shorty" (Sheryl) Hangman of Yankton, SD, Rodney (Barb) Hangman of Wynot, NE, Lamont (Clarice) Hangman of Laurel, NE, Calvin Hangman of Mart, TX, Tim Hangman of Ponca, NE; sisters, Patricia (Doyle) Anderson of Harrison, NE; Tina Skufca of Cleveland, OH; 21 grandchildren; 4 great grandsons; and many other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Paxton Library in her memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live for those unable to attend.
Memorial Mass will be on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Paxton with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. A Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. at the church in Paxton. Interment of cremains will be on Tuesday, June 14th at 10:00 a.m. at the Lime Creek Cemetery southwest of Maskell, Ne.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.