Gayle Elaine Diesing

Gayle Elaine Jepsen Diesing passed away on November 22, 2024, at her home in Dayton, OH, with her children by her side. She had endured a yearlong battle with cancer. Gayle was born January 24, 1937, in Omaha, NE to Bonnie and Howard Jepsen. She spent her childhood years in Papillion, NE with her siblings Robert and Mary, in a home which her father had redesigned and converted from a barn into the family home in the countryside, outside of Omaha. Gayle had an idyllic upbringing enriched by spending lots of time with her loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She spent her childhood ice skating on farm ponds, detasseling corn in the summer and spending time with family and friends. In 1955, Gayle graduated from Papillion’s small two-story schoolhouse, that housed grades 1 through 12. Upon graduation, she realized her lifelong dream to follow in the footsteps of her mother and many other nurses on her mother’s side when she was accepted to The University of Nebraska School of Nursing.

Gayle graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1959 with a degree in Nursing. While in nursing school she met William E. Diesing Jr. when they were set up by mutual friends. They married two years later on May 27, 1961, at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. Together they raised three children, William E. Diesing III, Mary K. Diesing (Bauder) and David H. Diesing (d.3/18/2023). She had a fulfilling career as a nurse while also managing the family through numerous relocations during her husband’s career in the United States Air Force. They lived in Nebraska, Texas, Illinois, Virginia and Thailand before settling in Beavercreek, Ohio outside of Dayton, in 1977. In 1984 they built their dream home in Bellbrook, Ohio, which Gayle decorated, curated and cherished for the next four decades.

Gayle was a woman of many interests and talents. She found great joy in travel, which began right after she graduated from Nursing school and did the grand tour of Europe with a friend. This trip was the first of many travels which Gayle would make over the course of her life, including as an expatriate living in Thailand with her family and the extensive travels to see her children when they lived overseas (in Switzerland and Germany, Brazil, Venezuela and England). Her many travels imbued in her an interest and curiosity for other cultures, while also reinforcing a profound patriotism and appreciation for the United States. She was inspired by her Swedish heritage due to her close relationship with her Scandinavian grandparents on both sides. She conducted extensive research of her Swedish heritage in America, which inspired her to create a detailed history of her extended family, originating back in Sweden through to the present day.

Gayle developed a deep appreciation for nature which was reflected in her art, gardening, her Sunday drives with family, her bike rides throughout the Midwest, and her interest in photography. She loved to talk about the art of gardening, and to take tours of many gardens and museums. She took beautiful, detailed photographs of nature anywhere she went. Gayle loved creating. From stamping, calligraphy, handiwork, sewing, knitting to painting and decorating, she was often on a project and expanding her creativity. One of her most enduring passions has been to design and create handmade cards, which were cherished by those lucky enough to receive them. Her artistic pursuits enriched her life and brought happiness to those around her.

Gayle had a beautiful smile, an effortless and frequent laugh, and willingly talked to people wherever she went. She made many friends, lifelong and new, with her easy personality, and ability to easily connect with others. Her longtime friends from bicycling (Biker Babes), water aerobics (Mermaids), Finance Club, Women’s League and Red Bud Garden Club, neighbors current and past, cousins, and Nebraska friends from high school and college would all attest to her fun and warm personality.

Gayle is preceded in death by her husband William and son David. She is survived by her children William Diesing III (Claudia) and Mary Bauder (Chris); and by her grandchildren William, Luke and Owen Bauder and Keyko and Kai Diesing, who loved her and called her Nana. She is also survived by her siblings, Robert Jepsen (Susan) and Mary Warrick (John) as well as four nieces and nine nephews.

Gayle’s legacy is one of curiosity, beauty, care and dedication—to her family, to her motherhood and to her many pursuits that filled her days with purpose and beauty. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of Gayle’s life will take place at 1 PM on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at David’s Cemetery Gathering Room, 4600 Mad River Road, Dayton.