Dianna Mcmaster

Dianna L. McMaster, age 66, passed away at home on Friday, March 25, 2022.

Dianna was born on January 21, 1956 in Newnan, Georgia and was the youngest of six children. Her family moved to Chicago, IL and later settled in Rockton, IL where Dianna graduated from Hononegah High School in 1974. It was at Hononegah where Dianna met her husband, Michael (class of 1972), and they were married soon after her graduation on July 20, 1974.  Mike and Dianna had two children, Jamie and Justin, and lived in Rockton, IL until moving to Stevensville, MT in 1983. They eventually returned to the Midwest in 2000 and settled in the Madison area.

Dianna spent most of her professional career working in business and accounting, primarily in the construction and real estate industries. She took pride in her work and deeply valued the friendships she made over the years.

There were many things that Dianna enjoyed, but nothing mattered more or seemed to make her as happy as spending time with her family.  Whether watching movies, playing euchre or board games, or following her grandkids around to their sporting events or piano recitals, Dianna was happiest when everyone was able to be together.

Dianna had a deep love of animals, in particular dogs and horses, and enjoyed so many miles of trail rides through the Rocky Mountains over the years in Montana on her horse, Cricket.  She had a profound fear of bees, however, and when she heard one get near she could tackle anyone in the way of her retreat better than anyone on her favorite ’85 Chicago Bears team.

Dianna loved traveling very much, especially if there was an opportunity to visit historic places or antique stores along the way. She felt fortunate to finally get the chance to use a passport and visited Scotland and Ireland in 2016. Dianna loved blaring Cher and Tom Jones in the car, most likely while driving just a little too fast for posted speed limits. She loved Dr. Pepper and cherry pie, and she never gave up trying to get Mike to enjoy a love from her childhood, grits and eggs for breakfast.

Dianna is survived by her husband, Michael McMaster of Marshall, WI; children Jamie (McMaster) Swanlund of Marshall, WI and Justin McMaster of Missoula, MT; and grandchildren Jenna Swanlund and Dean Swanlund of Marshall, WI.  She is further survived by her sister Penny Gaddy Rhodes of Hamilton, MT and niece Stacey Kercher; brother Ron Gaddy of South Beloit, IL and nephews Patrick, Joseph, and Matthew; sister Jackie Gaddy of Beloit, WI; brother Tony Gaddy of Texas and niece Michelle, and many other relatives and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Hertha & Einar Swenson, niece Stephanie Bussey, sister Barb Fisk, niece Shanna Fisk, and nephew Mark Fisk.

There will be no services at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital ( https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html ) or your favorite animal charity.

The family would like to thank the staff at SSM-Hospice, especially her primary nurse, Jodi, for her excellent care (and for putting up with two nosy dogs during visits).  The family would also like to thank Christine and Heather at Cress whose warmth and support were so appreciated while navigating through this difficult time.