Diana Kay Menser, age 62, entered eternal life on Thursday, March 26, 2020, after an incredibly courageous 3-year battle with ALS.
Diana was born on May 19, 1957, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee. She grew up in Bradley graduating from Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School in 1975 and then Eastern Illinois University in 1979.
Diana was a teacher at Bradley Elementary District 61 for 33 years, having retired in May of 2017. She spent most of these years as a sixth-grade history teacher. She loved teaching and enjoyed helping out by keeping score at sporting events, working back stage at plays, and tabulating at band contests. Chess club was also a very special part of her school year.
Diana was very involved in her local union, the Bradley Elementary Education Association as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Education Association as chair of Region 44. Many 4th f Julys were spent at the National Education Association Representative Assembly.
Diana loved history and traveling to historical sites and museums. She thoroughly enjoyed the trips with her nephew and site seeing with her goddaughters. Although Diana never made it to Bhutan, the happiest place on earth, she is now in the happiest place of all!
Diana is survived by 2 sisters, Debbie Dunlavey of Bourbonnais and Donna (Shawn) Harris of Bradley; one brother, Dwayne (Rhonda) Menser of Lawrenceville, GA; two nieces, Jennifer Dunlavey and Stephanie White; three nephews, Daniel (AKA Boone) Harris, Damon (AKA Demon) Harris, and Michael Menser; two goddaughters, Emily and Sarah Kay Hourihan. Believe it or not, two furry feline companions, Cricket and Gutzy, became very important to Diana.
Diana is also survived by her numerous friends who stood by her through this awful disease. “Words cannot express how grateful I am. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Diana is preceded in death by her parents, Arlene and Morris Menser.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all services will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Les Turner Foundation for ALS or Hospice of Kankakee Valley.
