Diana Lynn Blaisdell

Born on July 10, 1958, in Clarksville, Texas, to Jim and Betty Blaisdell, Diana spent her early childhood following her father’s Navy assignments, including several sun-soaked years in California. After his retirement, the family settled in Lake Dallas, Texas to be closer to her uncle Art. There, Diana embraced the life of a true lake kid—fishing with her parents and four siblings, waterskiing each summer, camping, exploring town with her friends, riding minibikes, and helping her parents in their many ventures. The family even spent several unforgettable years living aboard a sailboat.

When those ocean adventures came to an end, Diana returned to Lake Dallas High School, graduating in 1976. During her school years she was active in track and field, the rodeo team, the pep squad, and girls’ basketball. At just 17, with her mother’s signature granting permission, she enlisted in the United States Army—arriving at boot camp with a cast from hip to ankle thanks to a bit of pre-graduation celebration.

Diana was part of one of the Army’s first co-ed training groups and went on to become a tank systems mechanic specializing in the then-new Abrams tanks. She was responsible for documenting their performance and reporting mechanical issues. The highlight of her service was her time stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, where she immersed herself in her German heritage, the culture, and plenty of German beer. After eight years of service, she separated from the Army and began her civilian journey.

In 1983, opportunities for female mechanics were scarce, leading Diana to try several career paths: commercial truck driving in construction, serving as a resident aide at the Denton State School, driving with Brinks armored transport, and working as a phlebotomist at Denton Regional Hospital. But in 1998, she began her greatest adventure when she welcomed her daughter—her “Mama’s pretty girl”—into the world. Twenty-two months later, she joyfully helped welcome her son.

Among her accomplishments, Diana was especially proud of returning to school later in life. At 48, she earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from Collin College. She loved her work and her patients, serving at Atrium Medical Center in Corinth, Kindred Hospital in Dallas, Medical City Plano, and Baylor University Medical Center. Her daughter will forever remember the sound of her mother answering the phone: “Respiratory, Diane.”

To all who knew her, Diana will be remembered as a fighter. She endured and overcame more than most—surviving a motorcycle crash, kidney cancer, breast cancer, a near-fatal car wreck, and, most recently, lung and bone cancer. She firmly believed that God wasn’t ready to take her until it was her time.

After her 2019 car accident, Diana healed and embraced a retirement she once thought impossible. She spent her last years living her dream: full-time RV life, kayaking, fishing, traveling, and enjoying time with her friends, family, and her beloved dogs. Her greatest joy was time spent with her grandson—her little hero—Damian.

Greeting her on the other side were her parents, Leo James “Jim” Blaisdell and Betty Jean (Morris) Blaisdell; and her brothers Michael Dean “Mike” Blaisdell and Carl James “CJ” Blaisdell.

She is survived by her daughter, Chandler Brooke Blaisdell Wheeler; her son, Cole Robert Blaisdell-Bradford; her grandchildren, Damian Robert and Sophia; her sister Brenda Schwartz and husband Duine; sister-in-law Glenda Blaisdell; co-parents Jeffery and Deidre Bradford; and nieces and nephews Misty, Letisha, Kasey, David, Anna, Brian, Chris, Donald, Phillip, and Veronica. She is also survived by numerous great-nieces and nephews, extended family members, and many loving friends.

A visitation will be held at J.E. Foust & Son Funeral Home in Grapevine, Texas, on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. A short service of remembrance will begin at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Honoring her wishes, Diana will be cremated. Her ashes will be placed at Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery this spring following a Memorial Gathering, Motorcycle Procession, and U.S. Army Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the trust being established for her grandson, Damian, to support future medical needs and help him pursue his goals in her absence. Details regarding contributions will be shared once available.