June 5, 1932 to August 25, 2022
Diane Klima was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother who was a shining light to everyone who crossed paths with this incredible woman.
Diane was born June 5, 1932 in Battle Creek, Michigan where her parents, Janice Hartwell Purdy and Ferris Francis Purdy resided. Ferris was a purchasing agent for Kelloggs Company. Diane’s mother, Janice, was involved in the arts as a painter and was involved with her garden club which instilled both of those loves in Diane. When Ferris was called to Omaha to help open the Omaha Kelloggs factory, Diane enrolled in Omaha University which is now known as The University of Nebraska at Omaha. This is where she met her future husband, Edward Klima. After a courtship of three years, they married in Battle Creek and then moved to Omaha. They then began their loving marriage spanning 69 years.
While building their lives together, Diane and Ed started a family with Kent first, then – three years later – with Dan. Together, they instilled their love of nature into the boys by going on hikes in Fontenelle Forrest, camping in their Forrester trailer, and later staying in their cabin in the Snowy Range in Wyoming.
At the various houses that they called home, Diane always created beautiful gardens as her mother had taught her. They often consisted of her favorites: Queen Anne’s Lace, Golden Rod, Clematis, Irises, Lillies of the Valley, and Black Eyed Susans. Geraniums were often in the mix, which could explain the name of the dog her family had when she was growing up in Battle Creek – yes, it was Geranium.
As artistic as her plantings were, Diane would utilize her artistic bent every Christmas by hand drawing each and every card and using a photograph that Ed would take of the family. As their boys got older, they, too, would assist in the creation of the cards. For other holidays such as Halloween, Diane would draw with her beloved crayons on a number of small paper bags in which to place treats for some of the neighborhood children.
Additionally, Diane found time as an avid reader to study art and its history so that she could become a docent at Joslyn Museum. That was an activity that she enjoyed greatly for many years.
Diane would also spend countless hours for many years sewing costumes for the Children’s Theater with Emmy Gifford. It was wonderful to see the costumes they made together come alive with the actors and actresses to the delight of countless children and their families.
More recently, Diane had joined a prayer shawl group at Saint Paul United Methodist Church. She and others in the group knitted many, many shawls that helped comfort those in need.
Diane is survived by her husband Edward J. Klima; son Kent Klima (Adele), son Dan Klima (Nancy Lepo); grandson David Klima (Stephanie Knudson), granddaughter Elizabeth Heinen (Nick); and many friends.
Diane’s funeral service will be on Thursday, September 1 at 11:00am at Braman Mortuary which is located at 1702 North 72nd Street in Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Private inurnment at a later date. Memorials in Diane’s name can be made to Saint Paul United Methodist Church at 5410 Corby Street in Omaha, Nebraska 68104 or to Lauritzen Gardens at 100 Bancroft Street in Omaha, Nebraska 68108.
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