Diane Stark Gronewold, 66, of Ramsey, Minnesota died on Friday, October 6th after a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born to Ken and Mary Stark on September 26th, 1957 in Riceville Iowa. She graduated with a BFA degree in Art Education and a minor in Music from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls in 1978. Diane married Larry Gronewold on September 22nd, 1979. They moved to Minnesota in 1986 with their daughter Shanna (1984) and later had twin daughters, Alyssa and Brittany (1987), and daughter Tiffany (1990).

Diane was a beloved art teacher. She taught for Anoka-Hennepin schools for 36 years after teaching for 6 years in Iowa. Along with teaching art, Diane was also an active artist wholoved nature and looking for the beauty around her. We are lucky to see the world the way she did through her art. When not in her studio creating pastel works, she could often be found reading on her deck surrounded by flowers. She impacted so many through her art and teaching; also touching many with her musical talents.

Diane was a church musician from the age of 18 and spent the last 35 years serving the United Methodist Church of Anoka, most recently as both the organist and music coordinator. Her ability to share her spirituality through the playing of a hymn (maybe a slightly faster tempo than written) and along with the choir and bells connected many to their faith.

Diane was a devoted wife, mom, and grandma. Her daughters looked up to her and strove to emulate her passions and grace. Shanna became an art teacher, her twin daughters, Alyssa and Brittany both became teachers as well, and are active musicians, and her youngest daughter, Tiffany became a social worker committed to helping others. She lit up when playing with her grandchildren, Sage (6), Lila (4), Luca (2) and Hudson (6 mo). Diane never missed a chance to make holidays magical for both her daughters and then her grandchildren. Her granddaughters especially loved "doing art with grandma" in her studio.

She had the best smile and definitely changed the world softly through her kindness and positivity.

She will be greatly missed by her husband, Larry; daughters, Shanna, Alyssa (Nathan), Brittany (Craig) and Tiffany (David); grandchildren; Sage, Lila, Luca and Hudson, sisters; Betty (Steve) Brooks and Judy (Ron) Tippett as well as many other loved ones.

A celebration of life service will take place at the United Methodist Church of Anoka, 850 South Street, Anoka on Saturday, October 14th at 4:00pm with a visitation at 3:00pm and at Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, 2005 Branch Avenue, Anoka from 5-8pm on Friday.