Diane J. Ladwig

Diane Jean Ladwig, age 71, died unexpectedly on Monday, September 8, 2025, peacefully in her home, with her husband by her side. Diane was born on January 8, 1954, daughter of Milton and Maxine (Mildebrandt) Neuman in Markesan, WI. Diane was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manchester, WI and graduated from Markesan High School in 1972. On June 12, 1976, Diane married Lee R. Ladwig at St. Paul’s and enjoyed a horse and carriage ride to start their life together. Diane was a long-time member at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac, WI. Early in Diane and Lee’s marriage, they ventured to St. Louis for two years visiting numerous state parks. After moving back to Wisconsin, Diane regularly participated in family vacations to New York, Colorado, and Florida among many states with four young children bouncing around in the back of a van. Diane enjoyed family get togethers, 4-H, and many crafts including decorating her gardens with garden art, making doll clothes, and knitting potholders for anyone who would take them. Diane cared for her flower gardens and arts and crafts, receiving numerous blue ribbons and merit awards at the county fair over many years. God blessed Diane with four children and thirteen grandchildren. Diane especially loved playing with all her grandchildren and had a gift for spurring imagination without the need for electronics or fancy toys, all while ensuring their absolute safety. Diane is survived by her husband of 49 years, Lee; children, Joanne (Angelo) Viard, Julie (David) Hanson, Jason (Valerie) Ladwig, and Jeff (Abbey) Ladwig; grandchildren, Sebastian, Evan, and Jayden Viard; Alice, Walter, Conrad, and Preston Hanson; Sage and Aspen Ladwig; Lily, Archer, Griffin, and Winston Ladwig; brothers, Wayne (Marlene) Neuman, Allan (Dawn) Neuman, and Darrell “Buzz” (Vicky) Neuman; sister-in-law Luann Ladwig; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Maxine Neuman; father and mother-in-law Roger (Marion) Ladwig; Aunt Beatrice Grahn, Uncle Aldie Grahn, and cousin Dennis “Farmer” Grahn. Visitation for Diane will be held on Saturday September 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 606 Forest Ave., Fond du Lac, WI followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM with Pastor Borgwardt officiating. Light lunch will be served at noon at Redeemer followed by interment at Bluffton Cemetery (at the corner of A and J north of Green Lake) around 2:00 PM.

Diane J. Ladwig

January 8, 1954 - September 8, 2025