Diana Kay Ferguson

Diana Kay Ferguson, 82, passed away at her home in Yakima on April 27, 2025, surrounded by family. She lived boldly, showcasing signature sass, light-hearted mischief, and tenderness that softened even her sharpest jokes. Her many roles—daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend—made her life full in all the ways it mattered most.

Diana was born on March 2, 1943, in Osawatomie, Kansas, to Glenna (née Orndoff) and Walter Buhrman. She was the sixth of seven children, carving out a space for herself with precocious flair and a sparkle all her own. The family moved to Arizona, then various parts of Washington, before settling in the Yakima Valley.

On November 2, 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Vance. They raised their three children—Lori, Danny, and Vicki—in Selah, Washington, making countless memories. They shared many (mis)adventures while fishing and camping. Whether reprimanded by a lake warden in the offseason or forced to abort amidst torrential downpours, Diana laughed it off and vowed to try again. She took up canning and making fruit leather, which had similarly mixed results. Helping Ronnie with his projects gave her a sense of purpose, and she later found fulfillment managing a deli and providing care in the adult family homes she ran with Vicki.

Diana believed wholeheartedly in the pursuit of meaningful love. Even when things didn’t work out, she never let heartache make her cynical—only more determined. And if that meant a few wedding cakes along the way? She always had a sweet tooth. Diana adored her last husband, Rick Griffin, and was grateful for the kindness he continued to show her.

Her sense of curiosity was endless. Diana read voraciously and cared deeply about justice, inclusion, dignity in aging, global affairs, and anyone who needed a champion. With an emphatic, “That’s wonderful!” or her uncanny memory for others’ successes, she understood that this felt like love and belonging.

Diana was profoundly moved by music, tech-savvy, and always looking for an excuse to spoil someone. She loved well-trained dogs and disobedient children. Both were likely to earn hilariously brutal nicknames—a sure sign of her affection.

With a razor-sharp wit and delightfully irreverent sense of humor, Diana had a talent for shocking family members, medical staff, and unsuspecting strangers. Some of us still haven’t recovered. She exuded femininity, playfulness, and an abundance of independence. She lived on her own terms by unapologetically skipping social engagements she had no interest in attending, telling callers precisely when she was ready to hang up, and sipping from fancy glasses at every opportunity.

Extreme organization and attention to detail defined her many pastimes. Generations of her family will continue to order their lives with three-by-five cards and labeled totes. She taught others crocheting, cross-stitching, quilling, beading, cake decorating, and diamond painting. Everything she made was a special gift, even if she claimed it was just “good enough for who it’s for.” Her vivid blue hair and surprising love of computer games were undeniably cool.

Diana’s children saw every side of this dynamic, effervescent woman. Lori (Colin) Ramsey of Selah will cherish her silly antics that tested the limits of hospitality and, thanks to the mountain of canned and dried food she left behind, will almost certainly survive the apocalypse. Lori will always admire her mother’s welcoming spirit, commitment to being “all in” when trying something new, and strength to confidently forge her own path. Danny (Michelle McCartney) Vance will remember her unwavering pride in his hard work and resourcefulness. Her insistence on cultivating autonomy meant he learned responsibility early, but it also came with the perk of borrowing her car for joyrides in the orchard. Vicki (Ray Supan) Vance will miss their long talks, which covered everything from serious advice to recipe swaps and houseplant care. She will honor Diana’s determination to make life both beautiful and joyous. Each of them holds a piece of her extraordinary story—and together, they have a lifetime of comedic gold and memories.

Her grandchildren—Brandon (Kindra) Crawford, Taurean Sutton, McKayla (Ryan) Stehr, Breeana (Mark) Hubbard, Michael (Catherine) McCartney, Brian (Jasmine) Vance, Taylor Dale (David) Vance-Alvarez, Jason (Emily) Herbst, and Casey Jedynak—will miss hearing her say that they “can’t do anything wrong.” She made their lives unpredictably fun and taught them that being hers meant being lovingly teased and fiercely defended in equal measure. Her 11 great-grandchildren will miss being told that it was, in fact, them—and not their parents—who truly couldn’t do anything wrong.

She is also survived by her brothers, Clyde (Doris) Buhrman of Union, Oregon, and Paul Ray (Barb) Buhrman of Moses Lake, and her sister, Wanda Dupré of Yakima. As her closest confidante and constant companion, Wanda has lost a precious friend and lifelong co-conspirator. Though their bond was unbreakable, she will now be “freed” from the tasks of diagnosing “Dian” with a headache or reining in her more far-fetched schemes.

Aunt Diny treasured her nieces and nephews. Wanda’s crew were treated like bonus children, showered with love and exempt from all the rules. Her devotion reached far beyond the family tree; if you mattered to one of us, she made sure you knew you also mattered to her. She adopted friends, neighbors, partners, and the occasional stray as if they’d always been family.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Margie Porritt, Delbert Buhrman, and Ruth Dozier; and brother-in-law Fred Dupré.

Her family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Avamere at Englewood Heights who brought her so much joy and friendship in the past year. Her doctors, nurses, and hospice team offered comfort and humor through many ordeals.

A celebration of life, fitting for the firecracker she was, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 10, 2025 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902. A private inurnment will be held at Tahoma Cemetery for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission or Wags to Riches Animal Rescue.

Diana leaves behind a legacy of oversized generosity, perfectly-timed (and often wildly inappropriate) laughter, and just enough chaos to keep us all on our toes—exactly as she would have wanted.