St. George, Utah – Diane Maxine DeBruler was born in Aberdeen, Washington on December 24, 1943 to parents Jasper Dale DeBruler and Beulah Maxine Greene. She passed away peacefully in her home after enduring various cancers over a 10-year period. The oldest of three children, she was spoiled rotten by her loving parents, even after her little brothers Larry and Duane were born. (Her parents made sure to keep her birthday celebrations separate from the Christmas celebrations of the season, which always showed her how unique and special she was.) Her dad was stationed in Virginia with the Army Air Corps training for the war when Diane was born, so they didn't get to meet in person until she was 6 months old.

As a young daughter in a military family, Diane had the opportunity to live across the world in Washington, the Philippines, Oklahoma, Ohio, California, and Germany. With her father often away on assignments, her mother quickly became her best friend. She called her the sister she wished she always had. Her mom was still very strict, though, and expected a lot from Diane, so she always credited her reliability and dependability to her mother's influence and example.

After graduating from Frankfurt American High School and finishing one year of college in Munich, Germany, Diane moved back to Washington state to attend her second year of college in Bellingham. She hated it! Her parents and younger brothers had moved to Michigan which made Diane feel alone for the first time. She visited them during Christmas break, attended a New Year's Eve dance at the Kincheloe Air Force Base Officers Club, and met a young man named Wayne Powell who kept asking her to dance. The rest is history. They were inseparable and married in May. Tim was born in 1964, followed by Jeff in 1967. Diane and Wayne divorced shortly after Jeff was born but decided to get back together a few years later and marry each other all over again. Mindy, Kim, Chris, and Scott are grateful for that decision which resulted in their births in 1973, '74, '76, and '78, respectively.

Another major event that happened at Kincheloe Air Force Base was when Diane and Wayne met Loel and Becke Tibbitts who introduced them to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As far back as Diane could remember, she had a desire to have a spiritual connection of some sort. After many years of attending various denominations with neighbors and friends, finding the Church with the help of Loel, Becke, and two devoted missionaries named Drew Papa and Murray East set her on a path of faith, love, and resonating truth. Her never-wavering commitment to the gospel and her testimony of Jesus Christ grew exponentially over the years and became the strong spiritual foundation she so desperately searched for in her younger years. Losing Jeff in 1984 to Muscular Dystrophy could have destroyed a weaker woman, but Diane's unshakable faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ pulled her through, and she diligently taught her children to have that same faith. Knowing that Jeff and Mom are reunited again brings all of us unspeakable joy.

As a young wife and mother, Diane's family was her idea of perfect happiness. That happiness grew into a perfect love as her children got older, started families of their own, and brought grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the fold. In her "empty nest" years, Diane was diagnosed with cancer and courageously battled the disease with strength and determination, all while deciding which children and grandchildren needed her the most at that time and helping out in their location. To Diane, family was everything, and every single family member knew of her unconditional love for them. In her own words, Diane said, "Tim, Jeff, Mindy, Kim, Chris, and Scott...you could not have a Mom who was prouder of everything you are and have achieved or could love you more! Thank you for bringing everything and everyone that is yours to this family."

One of Diane's favorite quotes was from Lisa Weed who said, "Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life." (Anyone who knows Diane also knows that she considered her closest friends and students to be family as well.) As she left this life surrounded by loved ones, we know she was greeted on the other side by many other beloved family members and friends. We know her loyalty to family is eternal and look forward to her continuing to love and help us all from the other side of the veil.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents Jasper Dale DeBruler and Beulah Maxine Greene; her brother, Larry Dale DeBruler; and her son, Jeffrey Joel Powell. She is survived by three sons: Tim (Julie) Powell of Spokane, WA; Chris (Kim) Powell of St. George, UT; and Scott Powell of St. George, UT; two daughters: Mindy Anderson of Hooper, UT; and Kimberly (Jeff) Myers of Pasco, WA; one brother, Duane (Nancy) DeBruler of Graham, WA; 20 grandchildren: Jeff (Maria), Drew, Jason, Nick, Morgan, Walker, Garrett, Brock, Chloe, Brady (Brynli), Cameron, Ally, Maddie, Owen, Rhett, Libby, Emmett, Seth, Chandler, Katii; and three great-grandchildren: Jonathan, Emma, and Amelia.

The family wishes to thank the Oakwood Ward for compassionate services.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., with a visitation prior at 9:00 a.m., at the Crimson Ridge Chapel, 2668 East Crimson Ridge Drive, St. George, Utah.

For those who are unable to attend in person, a live broadcast link can be found at https://youtu.be/pfHDXODgMRI .

Interment will be held Monday, November 15, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at the Wynoochee Cemetery, Montesano, Washington.

Diane Powell Service Program