Diane Lee “Grandma Diane” Netzer, age 82, of Lena, passed away on September 1, 2026, in Oconto after a long, hard fought battle with cancer. Diane was born on March 18, 1944, to the late Elhart and Ruth (Eaton) Borkovec in Marinette. She graduated from Lena High School in 1962. On August 26, 1962, she married Dale Netzer at the old Lena Seventh Day Adventist Church. Dale preceded her in death on July 13, 2011.
Although her number one job was as a homemaker, she was very proud of her “Netzer’s Family Day Care” open for 45 years. She loved all children and had a special place in her heart for the little ones. She always said when she got to Heaven she was going to help raise all the babies there. She was a longtime member of the Lena Seventh Day Adventist Church where she taught Children’s Sabbath School, volunteered for VBS, was Sabbath School Superintendent and served as Deaconess. She was a lifetime member of the Oconto County Homemakers Association. She volunteered at St. Anne’s Food Pantry. We often lovingly joked about her being the “Community Services” to Lena. She mended and sewed for many. Always saving something to give to someone else in need. She was known for her homemade bread, pies and desserts. Our family loved her kolaches. She gave many wedding cakes as gifts to friends and family over the years and taught cake decorating at NWTC. She canned and preserved everything. All were welcome at her kitchen table where delicious homemade meals were served. She was a person of deep Christian faith and would share her love of Jesus with everyone. She wanted to see all her “children” in Heaven was her forever hope.
She will be sadly missed by her son Dean (Debrah) Netzer, daughter Donnell Miranda, grandchildren; Tiffanielyn (Max) Schmidt, Lee (MaKayla Erdmann) Hermus, Renetta (Matt) Detaege, Rita (Bill) Comins, Buddy Ward, Joshua Miranda, Elyia Miranda, and many great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, sister Bonnie Radzinski, sister-in-law Crystal Borkovec, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, siblings Gary Borkovec and Cheryl Borkovec.
There will be a visitation on Sunday September 20, 2026, at Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home of Lena from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There will be a memorial service at the funeral home immediately following the visitation. For more information, please visit www.rhodescharapata.com.
The family would like to express a thank you to Unity Hospice, Green Bay Oncology, Ensemble (Bellin Health) especially Holly Condie, APNP and HSHS/Prevea Health.
