Diana Marie Doerfler, 83, died in her home on February 21, 2025. Diane, as she was known to friends and loved ones, was born April 6, 1941 to parents Paul Joseph and Anna Marie Luea. She was the oldest of 9 siblings, consisting of 6 younger sisters and 2 brothers. She grew up around Ellis, KS, graduating from Ellis High School in 1959.
She married Harold Phillip Doerfler on September 1, 1962, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. The couple moved to Hutchinson, KS in 1964. Their oldest daughter, Lucy, was born in 1965. In 1966 they gave birth to their son Paul. Finally, their youngest daughter, Melissa, was born in 1967.
Diane worked at Star Lumber in Hutchinson for over 20 years before retiring. After her retirement she enjoyed working on home improvement projects, assisting her children with theirs as well as getting their help with her own. She also continued gardening for many years, a tradition she carried with her through her childhood growing up on a farm and helping her parents garden after they had moved into Ellis. Diane continued to travel well into her 70s, making her annual migration back home with help from her grandson Dylan, in the later years.
Diane is survived by her siblings, Harold Doerfler – her husband of 63 years, their three children Lucy (Jessee) Tracy of Hutchinson, Paul (Heather) Doerfler of Wichita, and Melissa (Tony) Gray of Hutchinson, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Parish Rosary will be 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 211 E. 5th Ave., Hutchinson. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, with burial to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at St. Teresa Catholic Church.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Teresa Catholic Church or Rise Up Reno, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.