Dianne
Lynn Thomson Kraft went home to the Lord on
the morning of February 25, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona under the loving care
of Hospice of the Valley. She was 71 years old.
Dianne
“Di” was born on March 7, 1946 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to William and Lorraine
(Carey) Thomson. She was a graduate of Sheboygan South High School, Class of
1964. During high school, Dianne was actively involved in choir and won several
state championship medals. Dianne went on to attend Iowa State University in
Ames, Iowa. In college, she continued to pursue her passion for music,
specifically 60’s folk music, and played acoustic guitar in local coffee
houses.
On February 25, 1967, Dianne joyously married
her high school sweetheart, Arthur Richard “Ricky” Kraft. The couple was
blessed with a baby girl. Unexpectedly, Ricky passed away on January 7, 1968,
at the age of 21.
For
more than thirty years Dianne held the position of office manager for her
father’s automobile dealership, Motorville, Inc. Additionally, she served as
bookkeeper for his powersports business, Thomson Marine. In 1999, Dianne and
her brother, Scott, became business partners in the marine dealership, which
Scott had managed since 1973. Construction of the new Thomson Marine building
was completed in 2000, where Dianne served as vice-president until 2015.
Throughout
her entire life, Dianne was relentlessly devoted to charitable organizations
and generously served others in whatever capacity was needed. In her twenties, she
volunteered with the public library and delivered books to shut-ins and continued
to utilize her musical talents by playing her guitar and singing in local
nursing homes. In her thirties, Dianne was a member of the Junior Women’s Club
in Sheboygan, holding various leadership positions within the organization. For
more than thirty-five years Dianne tirelessly served on the board of the
Sheboygan County Half-Way House (The Abode), holding positions including
secretary, vice-president and president. Dianne was a devoted board member of
the Mental Health Association in Sheboygan and volunteered countless hours to
programs aimed at employing and integrating individuals with mental and
developmental disabilities back into the community. Remarkably, Dianne organized
and volunteered at the local Sheboygan County Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy
Telethon from the very first event until the last. Dianne was a proud member of
the Sheboygan County GOP, serving fourteen years as its treasurer.
In
1983, Dianne was among the initial organizers of the WATVA (Wisconsin All-Terrain
Vehicle Association, Inc.). She served the WATVA for 10 years holding positions
including membership director, secretary, vice president, and executive director.
Dianne’s absolute passion was riding ATVs in northern Wisconsin as well as
teaching and certifying youths to ride and enjoy the sport safely. Dianne was a
DNR (Department of Natural Resources) Instructor and an ASI (ATV Safety
Institute) Instructor. She enthusiastically taught ATV safety classes for four
years at various dealerships in Wisconsin and at the Sheboygan County
Fairgrounds. Her friends describe that Dianne was “absolutely fearless” while
she charged through the muddy trails on her four wheeler. Shrouded in mud, she
could be heard laughing a mile away. Loving chilly weather and snow, Dianne delighted
in riding her ATV on the ice at Crystal Lake in the winter and exploring the groomed
winter trails in Lodi and Antigo, WI.
Baking
in her kitchen, was Dianne’s favorite way to relax. She loved to try new
recipes and brought trays of treats to work to share with her employees. She
also made delicious chocolate candies, and for many years she gave decorated
tins filled with her delicacies as Christmas gifts to neighbors and friends in
Sheboygan. In Arizona, Dianne continued this tradition and became known as “The
Cookie Lady” cheerfully delivering her goodie bags to one and all.
In
April of 2014, following a diagnosis of cancer, Dianne moved to Arizona to live
with her daughter and seek medical care at Barrow Neurological Institute and
Mayo Clinic Hospital. In the Valley of the Sun, Dianne began a new chapter in
her life. With unwavering grace, patience, and humor, Dianne’s incredible
determination enabled her to face adversity with laughter and courage. Her
journey was heroic and inspirational to all she encountered. Dianne touched
countless lives in Phoenix. She began working with the Evangelical Sisterhood
of Mary at Canaan in the Desert in Phoenix, assembling thousands of prayer
booklets. Dianne’s journey with cancer took her life in directions she would
have never imagined, but it never stole her smile, ceased her laughter, or
dampened her optimism. Dianne was a woman of unfathomable kindness. She leaves a
legacy of pure love for her two precious grandchildren.
Dianne
is survived by her mother, Lorraine Thomson of Sheboygan; her daughter, Amy
(Dr. Randall) Piette; her grandchildren, Lauren (18) and Alex (12) all of
Phoenix, AZ; her brother, Scott (Audrey) Thomson of Sheboygan Falls; her
sister, Chris (Paul) Stenklyft of Plymouth; and many dear friends in Wisconsin
and at Sagewood in Phoenix, Arizona.
In
addition to her husband, Ricky, she was preceded in death by her father,
William Thomson.
Please
join Dianne’s family to share memories and stories at a gathering in her honor
on Saturday, March 10
th
, 2018 from 1- 3pm at the Chapel of Eternal
Light at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Kohler, WI. The memorial service will take
place at 3pm with Rev. John Berg of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. If
desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the following organizations
that touched Dianne’s heart: Sheboygan County Humane Society, and Hospice of
the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
