On Tuesday May 16, 2023 Frank passed away surrounded by his family and friends in the home his father built in 1922. Frank was born on September 29, 1928 and he had lived there on the family farm his entire life, all 94 years. He was a first generation American as his parents John and Maggie (Steitz) Diener immigrated from the Volga River region in Russia. As a young man, he began to farm the family vineyard that was planted in the early 1900’s. He loved what he did and he did it well. In the late 1940’s he met the love of his life, Doris Mae “Dottie” Montgomery.In 1952 they would elope to Las Vegas and begin their lives together. From then on they would build the perfect world for their daughter Shelly. The three of them were a team. They worked the field together, harvested the raisins together and Shelly would sit right beside her dad as he delivered them to the packing house. Their family was a happy one.
In the 70’s they bought an RV and Frank and Dottie spent weeks at a time traveling the United States and Mexico. They would continue to do that all of their lives.
Their world became complete when Shelly married Larry and gave them their first grandchildren, Kisha and Nicole. Three years later along came Laren. From then on they would be known as Papa and Nana. Frank and Dottie were happiest when they were babysitting. They’d spend hours in the pool with the girls or pack them in the motorhome and hit the road!
Their family continued to grow when Kisha married Randy and Nicole married Justin. They would be blessed with three great grandchildren, Huntly, Dex, and Dottie Mae. They had the time of their lives with these three little ones. Frank became the family chauffeur when he began picking them up after school several days a week and making frequent stops for burgers or ice cream. Some of their best naps were taken sitting between Papa’s legs in the cab of a John Deere tractor.
Frank was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife Dottie Diener, parents John and Maggie (Steitz) Diener, sisters Emma, Lilly, Elsie, Mable, Marie, and Bernice.
He is survived by his daughter Shelly and her husband, Larry Rompal, granddaughter Kisha and her husband, Randy Rebensdorf, Nicole and her husband, Justin Pearson, granddaughter Laren, great grandsons Huntly Rebensdorf and Dex Rebensdorf and great granddaughter Dottie Mae Pearson. Frank also leaves behind Kendelyn Lane who was much like a granddaughter to him. These men and boys were like the sons he never had. His girls spoiled him rotten and he loved every minute of it.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ravi Rao for the care he gave Frank and also the many friends that came to visit in his final days.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Whitehurst Sullivan & Blair Funeral Home , 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno,CA 93720. Donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity.
