Diane Lynn Daun

Remembering with love, respect, and affection

Diane Lynn Daun (Carroll)

Born: March 27th 1949
In Portland Oregon at Emanuel Hospital
Went home to be with Our Father in Heaven July 9th 2024

Diane made her entrance into this world on March 27th 1949 and she was the 3rd daughter born to Glenn and Evelyn Carroll. #1 was Sandra Lee and #2 was Carlene Renee. Holding the #3 place in the Carroll family as a daughter when her daddy was awaiting the first "boy" was not an easy place to live. Circumstances at home caused Evelyn to move her girls early in their years. By the time Diane was 3 years old they had moved from Portland to Canada, then Canada to North Dakota, and finally from North Dakota to Minnesota.

After the move to Minnesota, Diane became a "Big Sister" to twin babies # 4 Pauline and #5 Paulette. The Carroll family was a sum of seven now, hard times called for the Carroll family to move in with Glenn Carroll's sisters Evelyn and other sister Vivian along with her husband Dean.

Uncle Dean and Aunt Vivian's daughter and Diane's cousin Deanna Argast, was born in 1949 only 3 months apart from Diane. Living in same home they grew up and into a lifelong Best Friend and Cousin relationship. Diane spoke many times with fond memories about the days she would be asked to join the Argast family on trips or various places that made her feel like she was special.

One of the most talked about memories in the Carroll memoirs between Deanna and Diane was when the two girls took up baton twirling together. They had the opportunity to compete at the Minnesota State Championships together, and Diane took first place, Deanna took second. It's a time that is talked about very proudly amongst the Carroll family even today. Evelyn, Diane's mother, kept the embellishments from Diane's costume and those are in a frame even now.

Between 1955 and 1962 more siblings were added to the Carroll household. The long awaited boy Bradley #6, Audrey #7, Jan #8,and the next son Arnold #9, and last but not least was Lana Lou #10. This completed the "Strand of 10" siblings linked together forever in blood sweat and tears over the years.

In January of 1967 at age 17 Diane gave birth to a baby girl out of wedlock. Her given name was April Lee, and although Diane held her twice physically she held her emotionally and dear at heart until 1986 when they were reunited. Diane had wanted that baby to have two parents, and for a moment it was thought that #2 daughter Carlene would adopt that baby ,however to the heartbreak of Carlene, Diane gave in to the social service system that talked her into placing April for adoption outside the family "As it would be better for everyone involved".

A few months later, Diane married William Lawrence Daun the 3rd and they had a son, William Lawrence Daun the 4th born on December 7th 1967. About that same time Diane's family decided to move West back to Oregon and there she was with a new baby, husband and herself. It was not long before Diane had to try and navigate being a single mother to her son "little Billie" as Bill's dad thought it was "In the best interest" for his wife and child to not stay together. He may have thought they should have something different or better. Diane did the best she could considering her age and the emotional damage from life, some by her own choices and some definitely not in her control. During the next few years Diane was enrolled in a Junior College, she met her current lifetime friend and love Daryl Schmaltzba Little Billy and Diane made a move to Oregon to be closer to family when Bill was about 7.

A very dear love and friend Daryl Schmatlzba had formed a hard and fast bond with both Bill and Diane in Minnesota and they kept that relationship going over these years. They had a lot of fun that created a family feel. This time together created lasting memories for Diane and Bill, it broke hearts when Diane decided to move to Oregon. Daryl helped them with the move to Oregon but had to return to Minnesota. This was another tear in the heart of both Diane and Bill.

Diane was a Graduate of Anoka High School in 1967, she had completed her 12th grade year successfully with a diploma. She attended a Junior College in Minnesota and received an Associates Degree. It was at that Junior College where she met Daryl. She also went to Chemeketa Community College in Salem Oregon. She had hopes of obtaining a Psychology degree and going into social work but the things she wanted and how to get them didn't always align.

As each thing in life has a time, purpose and place there was no one "career" but she was a good salesperson. For a short time she held the position as a clerk in downtown Salem at the department store Meir and Frank. Back in the day, phone "solicitor" was a job title and phone calls were made from a call center to find new business prospects. Diane had the position of selling family photo packages for Olan Mills photo studio. Diane also scouted for businesses who wanted to purchase advertisements in a small paper in Salem that was most run during the State Fair. Also, Willamette Valley maps printing company hired Diane as a representative to travel around the area and meet people in their businesses and sell the ad space on those maps. Diane really loved children, and for a long period of time she was a nanny to several families in the Salem area.

In 1986 after a long awaited 18 years God made a way for Diane, Bill, and her first born child Pam (April) to be reunited in only a way God could. . For 38 more years we had time to experience life with her. Sometimes it was unbearable and other times it was hysterical: There was a time when comedian Jeff Foxworthy was doing " you might be a Redneck if"...... was popular. We made up our own one day and said mom : you might be a redneck if you live in a small apartment and own 5 TV's... Diane laughed.

It was a long time before " Love Languages" was a book or anybody knew that people had love languages, but she attempted to show love with gifts. When you received a gift from Diane, it was often accompanied with a long story about how the gift was found and pondered over for days. Maybe she took it back, or bought all 5 colors because she couldn't decide which one you might like. It was the same scenario in search of the perfect card that said the "exact" message she wanted to say to you. She'd buy 10 cards that she was considering, take them home and lay them all out and work and read for hours to find "the one". That was a labor of love that sometimes the receiver of a gift or card knew nothing about. She wanted you to "Love it !" she knew what had gone into finding the one just for you. Diane hosted a few good parties (with much help) she did an overnight slumber party with sisters and cousins, she planned meticulously for her grandchildren baby showers, and big 40th Birthday party for her son Bill, and she always found the most beautiful cakes for these events.

Experiencing Diane wasn't always easy, As a Child of the living God, she was a perfectly imperfect human.

Diane laughted, she cried tears of joy, sadness, and sometimes frustration. She had a beautiful smile, she took a few trips, found a few treasures and experienced happiness that made her life her unique story, and we thank God for it.

She also loved Chelsea's pie house. She went through a time of IHOP for Strawberry crepes with a family member. She spent so many hours watching Forest Gump she wore it out, then she saw Pretty woman so many times I think you may have been able to quote it. Her favorite song was Ring of fire and I walk the line because she remembered Pam's dad singing it.

The last 12 years Diane resided in at least 5 different Adult Foster Care homes. Sisters Jan, Lee, Lana, and Pauline took turns picking her up to meet at McDonald's and meeting whoever could join up for lunch or something. Diane really liked Breakfast sandwiches, fish sandwiches for awhile, and even an occasional cheeseburger. Favorite drinks were often one diet Coke, a coffee with at least 6 splendas and several french vanilla creamers all in one visit, every time. Then at some point a Mocha Frappe became the drink of the year. Diane also went through an IHOP phase, and strawberry crepes were to her liking. Jon and Pam didn't care for Shari's Restaurant much, however, she could be coaxed into a Fish and Chip meal sharing with Pam, and then loved their Chocolate Shakes so much. The big Silver Cup plus the glass was full.

Over the years she rotated her favorite hang out places around Salem. She loved pie at "The Chalet", steak or ribs at "The Outback", time at "Denny's" or "Elmer's" and one of the last places we went was "The Blue Willow" and she ate more sweet and sour shrimp then we had seen her eat anything in years.

Experiencing Diane wasn't always easy. This we know tho, she most certainly is a child of the living God, and she lived a perfectly imperfect human life.

She was a Daughter, Sister, Sister in law, Mother in law, Cousin, Auntie, Niece and Friend

Grandmother and Great Grandmother

Thank you God for each and every moment that Diane was here with us.

Maybe we don't know why things happened the way it did. But God Knows It is with the utmost gratitude our family wishes to give heartfelt thanks to: All Season Care Home 940 Fairview Ave. SE Salem Oregon

Fabiola Ruiz and her trusted staff cared for "Sweet Diane" when we couldn't. Diane left this world with that staff at her side.

"Diane, may you twirl your baton with Deanna in Heaven and march on with Gods angels"

Diane is survived by:
SON: William Lawrence Daun the 4th and daughter in law Bradli Williams adult children: Thadeous, Bonique, and Jordyn

DAUGHTER: Pamela Jean Vellinga and son in law Jonathan Pam's adult children: Grandson: Jeffrey Milkovich married to Alisha 3 children (great grandchildren) Zaiden, Mason and Kadence. Jordan Milkovich married to Amber 1 child (great grandchild) Bjorn
Granddaughter: Jenavee Wood married to Kyle

SISTERS: Lee Howe (Jim), Carlene Wright (Glen), Pauline VanEaton, Paulette Johnson (Mike), Audrey Boyes (Greg), Jan Raymer (Bruce), Lana Hopfer (Greg)

BROTHER: Arnold Carroll

Diane is preceded in death by:
Her Mother: Evelyn Carroll Crosby
Her Father: Glenn Carroll
Her Aunts: Vivian Argast and Evelyn Carroll
Her Uncles: Rick Hindman, Al Hindman, and Uncle Dean Argast