Diane Roberta Burns

Diane Burns peacefully left this life on October 29, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved her deeply, a lifetime of extraordinary adventures, and a legacy of strength, generosity, and determination.

Diane was born in Colorado and raised in Wyoming, a distinction she carried with enormous pride. She often described herself as “Wyoming tough,” and anyone who knew her understood exactly what she meant. She was fiercely independent, extraordinarily determined, and possessed a grit that could carry her through just about anything. When Diane set her mind to something, there was very little that could stand in her way. Her strength wasn’t simply something she talked about. It was how she lived.

A proud graduate of the University of Wyoming and a teacher by profession, Diane believed deeply in the power of education. She maintained a lifelong connection to her beloved alma mater, and one of her proudest accomplishments was helping establish a scholarship legacy that would provide opportunities for students from underserved backgrounds to attend the university. She understood that education could change the trajectory of a life and was deeply proud to help make that possible for others.

Diane shared 50 years of marriage with her beloved husband, John, who preceded her in death in 2023. Together, they built a life filled with love, family, friendship, and an extraordinary sense of adventure. They were avid travelers, and retirement gave them the freedom to pursue their favorite pastime in earnest. Their adventures took them to 82 countries, where they rode camels in Egypt, elephants in Thailand, donkeys in Machu Picchu, explored the sand dunes of Qatar by Jeep, and hiked through the Amazon jungle. For Diane and John, travel was about more than seeing new places; it was about experiencing life together.

While Diane experienced more of the world than most people could imagine, her greatest joy was always her family. She was a devoted mother to Craig and Sarah, and in her later years, she found a special kind of happiness in being a grandmother. Her four grandchildren, Dylan (16), Evelyn (13), Isla (11), and Esme (7), each developed their own unique relationship with her. She delighted in their personalities, celebrated their accomplishments, and took tremendous pride in the people they were becoming. As they grew older, so did the bonds between them, bringing her immeasurable joy.

When her granddaughter Isla was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, Diane embraced another cause close to her heart. She became a supporter of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and its mission to improve the lives of children and families affected by the disease.

Diane approached life with an uncommon combination of strength, generosity, and heart. She met challenges head-on, loved her family fiercely, and never gave up easily. That determination stayed with her until her final days. Even as her body grew tired, her heart seemed unwilling to surrender. In many ways, it was the perfect reflection of how she had lived: with courage, grit, and an extraordinary will to keep going.

Her family will miss her fiercely. But they will carry forward the lessons she taught them, the stories she shared, the love she gave so freely, and the strength she instilled in each of them.

Diane was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John R. Burns. She is survived by her son, Craig Burns (Jennifer), daughter, Sarah Schirber (Matthew), and grandchildren Dylan Burns, Evelyn Schirber, Isla Schirber, and Esme Schirber, along with her brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and nieces.

Celebration of life details: Olinger Chapel Hill and Mortuary on November 14th at 11:00am MT In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Burns Family Pathways Fund: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/90674/donations/new and/or Children’s Diabetes Foundation: https://www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org