Dianne Teresa Stapler

April 21, 1938 – August 8, 2026

Dianne Teresa Stapler, 88, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her immediate family members on August 8, 2026, after courageously enduring COPD for many years.

Dianne was born on April 21, 1938, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Eva Pauline (Beaulieu) Cooper and Eulas Marcelle Cooper. At the age of four, with her older sister Connie, the Cooper family moved to Los Angeles, California, where she was raised. Dianne attended Dorsey High School in Los Angeles where she was an excellent student, enjoyed dancing, and competing in field hockey. After the birth of her four children, she pursued and had a distinguished career as a court reporter in Los Angeles, a profession from which she eventually retired to continue pursuing her dreams.

Dianne married her high school sweetheart, Richard Nathanial Stapler in 1956. They shared over 70 years together. Throughout their marriage, they created a life filled with family, friendship, travel, and adventure. In their early years together, Dianne especially enjoyed family gatherings, family vacations, church events, dancing, and spending time with their life-long friends, Gary and Choncita Castron.

Following retirement, Dianne and Richard made their home in Millville, California, where they started a bison ranch and pursued their dreams. Dianne embraced the beauty and tranquility of ranch life while continuing to enjoy the many things that brought her happiness, including gathering and hosting family and friends, crocheting, making jewelry, playing table games, going to Bingo, and just being with and enjoying time with Richard. Dianne and Richard loved to travel and had the opportunity to see much of the world, including many countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and North America.

Dianne is survived by her beloved eternal companion and husband, Richard Stapler Sr.; her children, Desiree (Gary Munsie), Darlene (Craig Redding), Richard Jr. (LaVerna), and Dianna (Willie Bivin); her grandchildren, Todd (Teresa), Michiko (Mike), Courtland, Camron, Richard III (Macy), and Kiana (Austin); and seven great-grandchildren, Michael, Mya Meilani, Sonoma, Ruby, Frankie and Sy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eulas and Eva (Beaulieu) Cooper, and her sister, Connie (Maurice Payne). She is also survived by her brother, Julius “Lucky” Cooper (Jeanne), a host of nieces and nephews and life-long friends.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the many professional caregivers who cared for Dianne throughout the years as she lived with COPD. Their compassion, dedication, and kindness were deeply appreciated. Special gratitude is extended to the caregivers and staff of Bristol Hospice of Redding, California, for the loving and compassionate care they provided to Dianne and her family during her final days here.

Dianne will be remembered for her love of family, her adventurous spirit, her many talents, her friendships, and the warmth and joy she brought into the lives of those around her. Her greatest legacy is the family she loved so deeply and the many memories she leaves behind.