Diana Billie

Diana Billie, age 76, received her angel wings April 25th, 2024 under the care of her loving family as she laid next to her husband at home in Ottertail, MN. She was a warrior of hope, amidst her struggle with cancer and Gaucher's disease the majority of her life. You would never know what she was physically enduring within as she always had a smile on her face and arms outstretched for a hug. Stranger was not a word in her vocabulary and she was a role model for acceptance and non-judgement for all. Her life was faith filled and her love for others is the breath in which Jesus taught and she prayed.

From a little Willow City, ND farm girl walking to a country school with three siblings and parents, Fay & Jean, awaiting with love at home, she created her own life with that connected wholeness in her roots. Diana wore many labels during her life; daughter, sister, wife, mom, friend, aunt, mother-in-law, grandma, great grandma, and sweet Annie. Yet, when you looked into her glowing eyes, you saw her middle name at the center of it all: Joy.

Her kindness and joy for life (and probably her long legs) paved the way for meeting the love of her life. At the time, she was a hairdresser and he was a military man from Texas. They danced. And the rest is history. The love between Andy & Diana was romance movie worthy; both loving to talk, laugh, entertain, and spend time with family. They created a beautiful life with three daughters and surrounded by many friends in Minot, ND. It was there where she nurtured and cared for many as a daycare provider and then eventually made her way into retail. She took pride in all she touched with her working hands. She treated everyone she met like her own children; with love and acceptance of their uniqueness. Her daughters; which she loving referred to as "her girls"; Sis, Poo, & Nettie, learned what love was and the families they created became Diana's world. Her favorite job was being a grandma.

And so, in 1999, Diana and Andy moved to their lovely home on Ottertail River; to be closer to the grandkids. Many wonderful memories were created and new friends were made. Diana's kindness and her striking presence were magnets for others to join her in celebrating life.

Diana was an earth angel and her spiritual beliefs were inspiring & beautiful. Near the end of her life, she asked a music therapist from hospice to sing her a song "Save a seat for me...or something like that". At a loss at the time, for what she meant, the day after Diana's transition, her daughter's phone began playing the song, "Save You a Seat", by Alex Warren.

Listen. Break bread with your friends and family. And in those joy filled moments ~ you will find Diana.

Diana was truly the heart of the family, and each that she left behind will remember her always and try to emulate her legacy; Her Love: Andy Billie Jr; Daughters: Candace (Dave) Green, Wendy Billie (Jasen Stowers), Raynette (Ryan) Skarhus; Grandkids: Brittany (Josiah) Ellingson, Brock (Abby) Green, Brendan Green, Alec (Morgan) Skarhus, Kacey (Trey) Skarhus; Great Grandchild, Malcolm and soon, Baby E; Brother & Sister-in-law: Randy & Lorraine Myers; Sisters-in-law: Lynette Hagle and Barb Hart; and several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church near Perham. Visitation will be one hour prior. Interment at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery will take place at a future date.