Hobby & Recreation Group
Diane Marie Lehse
Red Lake Net News
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| Copyright © 2010 Red Lake Net News All Rights Reserved. |
Diane Marie Lehse, age 66 of Menahga, MN passed away unexpectedly, as a
result of a car accident on Sunday, October 17, 2010.
Diane was born to Arthur and Mary (Wirkkanen) Jacobson on September 26,
1944 in Detroit Lakes, MN; for most of her childhood she lived on the family farm
near Wolf Lake, MN. She attended country school in Green Valley Township
through the sixth grade and then went on to attend the Menahga Public Schools
through the twelfth grade where she graduated as valedictorian of her senior class
of 1962. After graduation, she went on to attend Bemidji State College where she
received her Bachelor of Science in English and also served as Editor in Chief of
the student newspaper, the Northern Student. Following graduation, she moved to
the cities and worked as a high school English teacher in Rosemount, MN for a
couple of years. After leaving Rosemount, Diane went on to complete her graduate
work in English at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. Once she received her
Masters, she moved back to Minnesota and was married to Dale Swenson in
1972. Together they had a son, Derek and a daughter, Kaia. She worked as a
director for the Day Activity Center (DAC) for fifteen years while living with her
family in Brainerd. Throughout this time, she also served as president of the Zonta
Club and was a member of the Toastmaster’s Club of Brainerd. She also won the
Democratic Party nomination for the State House of Representatives in 1986 for
District 13A. Following a parting from her first husband, Diane moved back to Wolf
Lake, MN. Diane married Ronald Lehse in 1988. She purchased and ran Diane’s
General Store in Wolf Lake, eventually sold it, went back to school, and shortly
thereafter resumed her career in education. She began working as a special
education teacher at the Pine Point School on the White Earth Reservation. She
later received her administrative license and became the superintendent and
principal of Pine Point School in 1989. Following seven years at Pine Point, Diane
worked as the director for an alternative learning center in Wadena for the 1996-
1997 school year. In 1997, she was hired as the superintendent for the Kelliher
School District (1997-2002). She then moved on to serve six years as
superintendent of the Clearbrook-Gonvick School District (2002-2008) after which
she retired. Following retirement, Diane enjoyed quality time with her family and
friends and was able to travel to Finland and Germany in 2009 with her husband.
During this time, she also served on the board of directors for the New York Mills
Regional Cultural Center and co-chaired the Clearbrook-Gonvick Early Childhood
Initiative. Diane came out of retirement in 2010 to serve as the interim
superintendent in the Cass Lake-Bena School District where she was currently
employed at the time of her passing. Throughout her life, Diane touched so many
lives through her work and volunteer activities. Her success as an administrator
and grant writer provided leadership, guidance and support for a cause close to
her heart: providing quality public education for people of all ages. Diane also
enjoyed several recreational activities including baking, cooking, sewing, knitting,
playing music, reading, writing, camping, card-playing, shopping and traveling. Up
to the end, Diane lived her life with “Sisu,” a Finnish word meaning “strength” or
“determination.” She showed this sisu when she was battling breast cancer in
2007. Throughout her surgery and treatment, she kept her spirits high and was
able to make a complete recovery.
Diane will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ronald of Menahga, MN; son,
Derek Swenson of San Diego, CA; daughter, Kaia Swenson of Sauk Rapids, MN;
sisters: Viola (Roy) Jokela of Wolf Lake, MN and Karen (Randy) Allen of Baxter
Springs, KS; brother, Ronald Jacobson of Osage, MN as well as many relatives
and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harold Jacobson and brother-
in-law, Roy Jokela.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the
First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN with Reverend Thomas Jacobson
officiating. Barbara Ahl will be the organist. Congregational hymns will be “Abide
With Me”, “Blessed Assurance” and “Beautiful Savior.” Casketbearers will be:
Richard Maple, Richard Richards, Jorge Lehse, Tony Lehse, Craig Rademacher
and Adley Myllykangas. Honorary casketbearers will be: Ardell Maple, Sharon
Bergerson, Eilene Vanderport, EvaLee Janssen, Corrine Richards, Eileen Lien,
Socorro Lehse and Deb Myllykangas. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 8:00
pm on Friday, October 22, 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in
Menahga, MN and for one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. To
leave online condolences or to view the video tribute, please visit www.
cardinipearson.com.
result of a car accident on Sunday, October 17, 2010.
Diane was born to Arthur and Mary (Wirkkanen) Jacobson on September 26,
1944 in Detroit Lakes, MN; for most of her childhood she lived on the family farm
near Wolf Lake, MN. She attended country school in Green Valley Township
through the sixth grade and then went on to attend the Menahga Public Schools
through the twelfth grade where she graduated as valedictorian of her senior class
of 1962. After graduation, she went on to attend Bemidji State College where she
received her Bachelor of Science in English and also served as Editor in Chief of
the student newspaper, the Northern Student. Following graduation, she moved to
the cities and worked as a high school English teacher in Rosemount, MN for a
couple of years. After leaving Rosemount, Diane went on to complete her graduate
work in English at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. Once she received her
Masters, she moved back to Minnesota and was married to Dale Swenson in
1972. Together they had a son, Derek and a daughter, Kaia. She worked as a
director for the Day Activity Center (DAC) for fifteen years while living with her
family in Brainerd. Throughout this time, she also served as president of the Zonta
Club and was a member of the Toastmaster’s Club of Brainerd. She also won the
Democratic Party nomination for the State House of Representatives in 1986 for
District 13A. Following a parting from her first husband, Diane moved back to Wolf
Lake, MN. Diane married Ronald Lehse in 1988. She purchased and ran Diane’s
General Store in Wolf Lake, eventually sold it, went back to school, and shortly
thereafter resumed her career in education. She began working as a special
education teacher at the Pine Point School on the White Earth Reservation. She
later received her administrative license and became the superintendent and
principal of Pine Point School in 1989. Following seven years at Pine Point, Diane
worked as the director for an alternative learning center in Wadena for the 1996-
1997 school year. In 1997, she was hired as the superintendent for the Kelliher
School District (1997-2002). She then moved on to serve six years as
superintendent of the Clearbrook-Gonvick School District (2002-2008) after which
she retired. Following retirement, Diane enjoyed quality time with her family and
friends and was able to travel to Finland and Germany in 2009 with her husband.
During this time, she also served on the board of directors for the New York Mills
Regional Cultural Center and co-chaired the Clearbrook-Gonvick Early Childhood
Initiative. Diane came out of retirement in 2010 to serve as the interim
superintendent in the Cass Lake-Bena School District where she was currently
employed at the time of her passing. Throughout her life, Diane touched so many
lives through her work and volunteer activities. Her success as an administrator
and grant writer provided leadership, guidance and support for a cause close to
her heart: providing quality public education for people of all ages. Diane also
enjoyed several recreational activities including baking, cooking, sewing, knitting,
playing music, reading, writing, camping, card-playing, shopping and traveling. Up
to the end, Diane lived her life with “Sisu,” a Finnish word meaning “strength” or
“determination.” She showed this sisu when she was battling breast cancer in
2007. Throughout her surgery and treatment, she kept her spirits high and was
able to make a complete recovery.
Diane will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ronald of Menahga, MN; son,
Derek Swenson of San Diego, CA; daughter, Kaia Swenson of Sauk Rapids, MN;
sisters: Viola (Roy) Jokela of Wolf Lake, MN and Karen (Randy) Allen of Baxter
Springs, KS; brother, Ronald Jacobson of Osage, MN as well as many relatives
and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harold Jacobson and brother-
in-law, Roy Jokela.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the
First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN with Reverend Thomas Jacobson
officiating. Barbara Ahl will be the organist. Congregational hymns will be “Abide
With Me”, “Blessed Assurance” and “Beautiful Savior.” Casketbearers will be:
Richard Maple, Richard Richards, Jorge Lehse, Tony Lehse, Craig Rademacher
and Adley Myllykangas. Honorary casketbearers will be: Ardell Maple, Sharon
Bergerson, Eilene Vanderport, EvaLee Janssen, Corrine Richards, Eileen Lien,
Socorro Lehse and Deb Myllykangas. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 8:00
pm on Friday, October 22, 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in
Menahga, MN and for one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. To
leave online condolences or to view the video tribute, please visit www.
cardinipearson.com.
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