Diane M. Whipple, 65, of Dexter, Minnesota, passed away Monday, May 27, 2019, at her home.

Diane Marie Newell was born on July 31, 1953, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Lauren and Merna (Kleiber) Newell. She attended Lincoln Elementary School, Central Junior High, and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1971. Diane then attended Rochester Community College and Minnesota School of Business, earning a degree in veterinary technology with both state and national certification. On May 6, 1972, she married Ronald Whipple at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester. They lived in Germany, where their first son was born, while Ron was in the service. The couple returned to Rochester and in 1977 moved to Dexter, where they still lived. Diane worked for Mayo Clinic for 28 years in a variety of jobs in hospitals and the clinic, four years as a certified veterinary technologist and four years as an Animal Health Department manager at Runnings in Austin, Minnesota. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton, Minnesota, where she was involved in WELCA and served on the church council. Diane enjoyed dogs and worked with Mower County 4-H Clubs. She won many awards working with her dogs. Diane belonged to the American Kennel Club and had several champion dogs. She served on the Board of Directors for the National Welsh Springer Spaniel Club and was a charter member of the Rochester Minnesota Kennel Club, where she held various offices. Diane enjoyed all crafts, trips to “the cabin” fishing, and loved watching her kids and grandkids in sporting events.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Ronald Whipple of Dexter; sons, Russel (Amanda) Whipple of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Aaron (Karla) Whipple of Elkton; six grandchildren, Airman 1st Class Bailey, Haley, Chloe, Alex, Lacie and Brittnee; two step-grandchildren, Logan and Brianna; brothers, Michael (Barb) Newell of Des Moines, Iowa, Bradley (Tracy) Newell of Plymouth, Minnesota, Eric Newell of Racine, Minnesota, and David (Myong Hee) Newell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; four aunts and two uncles, Bonnie Newell, Burnetta Dicke, Marilyn (Fred) Kahn, Karen (Dale) Marxhausen; and five nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lauren and Merna Newell; grandparents; two uncles, William Newell and Leonard Dicke; and one aunt, Elvira Carlyle.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton with Pastor Liz Erickson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Interment will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Elkton. Memorials can be directed to the Hormel Institute or St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton. Services are prearranged and performed with Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.