Thomas F Diener

Sun Prairie--Thomas F. Diener, age 84, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2009 at HospiceCare in Fitchburg.  He was born on Nov. 16, 1924 in Milwaukee, WI the son of V. E. and Mae (Meyer) Diener.  Tom lived in Milwaukee his first 42 years of life, then moved to Madison for a short while before moving to Sun Prairie in 1967. On September 4, 1948, Tom was united in marriage with BettyGene Dealy in Milwaukee.  He was a graduate of North Division High School in Milwaukee and a 1943 graduate of Milwaukee State Teachers where he received his BS degree.   He then went on to UW-Madison where he received his Masters and did post graduate work.  During WWII, he served his country for three years with the USAF.   Tom dedicated his life in the field of education, first with the Milwaukee Public Schools for 16 years and then with the State of WI Department of Public Instruction for 22 years. Tom was a member of Windsor United Church of Christ, the Masonic Order, Sun Prairie Historical Society, the Colonial Club, where he especially enjoyed playing Skat, past president of Friends of Sun Prairie Library, on the board of Sun Prairie Library Foundation and many educational groups.  He enjoyed gardening, furniture refinishing and chair caning.  Tom is survived by his wife BettyGene; nephews Richard (Janice), Tom (Rena), David (Karen), and Jim Diener, Greg (Debra) and Tim (Tina) Kannenberg; nieces Kathy (Rik) VanderMeer and Tamara Kannenberg, Gail (Frank) Ballard and Dianne Looney; special great-nephews Joshua, Jeremy and Andrew Kannenberg; sister-in-law Joyce Kannenberg; special friends Laurel Weber, Chet Bradley, and Don, Carla and Jeff Seeger; and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard V. Diener and sister-in-law Eleanore Diener.  A celebration of Tom's life will be held at Windsor United Church of Christ, 4434 Second Street, Windsor on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Martha Ann Baumer and Rev. Dr. David McDonald presiding. There will be a time of gathering from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.  A luncheon will follow the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation, Windsor UCC Scholarship Fund or HospiceCare.     Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie (608) 837-9054 www.cressfuneralservice.com