Diane R. Kowalske

Diane R. Kowalske (nee Sporleder), 86, of the Town of Jackson passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Kathy Hospice in West Bend.

Diane was born on July 12, 1938, to Walter and Adela (nee Wapp) Sporleder in Milwaukee, WI. She was baptized and confirmed at Reformation Lutheran Church in Milwaukee and graduated from West Division High School, class of 1957. As a teenager, Diane worked her first job at Wiemanns Dime Store as a clerk and later in the office of Aetna Insurance Company as a typist. On June 8, 1957 in Reformation Church, she was united in marriage to Elmer Kowalske, whom she met at a New Year’s Eve dance at the Nightingale Ballroom in 1954. She moved from the big city to the Kowalske family farm in the small town of Jackson, and she worked in the office of Kiekhaefer Mercury Marine in Cedarburg until the birth of her first-born, David.

Diane joined her husband as a member of David’s Star Lutheran Church in Kirchhayn and years later served on the Evangelism Committee. She learned how to cook while living on the farm and made farm fresh bread from scratch which won first prize at the Washington County Fair for multiple years. Her favorite pastimes included square dancing with the Kettle Moraine Squares, bowling, playing cards with family and friends, and writing her family history book. She also worked at the local polls and Bublitz Produce. Diane was devoted to being a stay-at-home mom and wife and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Those Diane leaves behind to cherish her memory include her three children, Doris (Joe) Beine, Paul Kowalske, and Glen Kowalske; three grandchildren, Kari, Kelli, and Kristi Beine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Elmer Kowalske; her son, David Kowalske and her two brothers, Robert (Angie) Sporleder and Donald (Murlin) Sporleder.

VISITATION: The family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at David’s Star Lutheran Church, 2740 David's Star Dr., Jackson, from 2:30 p.m. until 4:15 p.m.

SERVICE: a Funeral Service for Diane will be at the church on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.