Diane Skalicky, 59
Diane Skalicky, 59, of New Ulm, Minn. died on Jan. 12, 2009 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Diane Louise Skalicky, the daughter of Albert and Marcella (Wencl) Skalicky, was born July 6, 1949 in Owatonna, Minn. After graduating from Blooming Prairie High School in 1967, she worked as a nurse’s aide and attained her LPN license in 1973. Diane moved to New Ulm in January 1974 and worked as an LPN in the OB departments at both Union and Loretto hospitals, in the Newborn Nursery at Sioux Valley Hospital and at the New Ulm Medical Center. She loved those babies and preemies and was especially fond of the challenges of caring for high-risk newborns. She was able to comfort many fussy infants by snuggling them, comforting them with the sound of her mechanical heart valves. Diane served on the LPN negotiating committee and various other committees at the hospital.
Diane loved to laugh and loved life.  She was compassionate, kind and gentle. A mentor to many, she always had time to help others. She was generous and loved visiting family, friends and spending time with her nephew and niece. Diane loved being outside on her scooter, watching wild life and feeding birds. She had many interests including photography, reading newspapers, driving cars and tractors and tinkering on machines. She loved farming, fishing, traveling, nature, music, people and Heritagefest. Diane enjoyed dining with friends, lutefisk outings and the everyday joy of companionship. She was a role model and a fighter to the end, a unique strong woman who will be greatly missed, especially that perpetual smile. Diane was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in New Ulm.
Survivors include her best friend, co-worker and caregiver, Gwen Volk, New Ulm; brother, Lonnie (Bev) Skalicky; nephew, Aaron (Anne) Skalicky; niece, Anne Adams; great-nephew, Joseph Skalicky, all of Austin; maternal aunt, Margaret Kubat, Owatonna.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in New Ulm with the Reverend Grant T. Bode officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the National Bohemian Cemetery in Owatonna. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, at Schmucker Funeral Service in New Ulm and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials are preferred to the Disabled American Veterans, Lutheran World Relief or the St. Labre Indian School.