Diane Bernadine Nelson

Surrounded by her loving family, Diane passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025. She was born in Rochester, Minnesota on October 29, 1935, to Armand and Edith Sutter, the fifth of eight children. They were a very close-knit family and enjoyed getting together often over the years reliving fun adventures from their childhood and enjoying many laughs together.

After high school, Diane attended the University of Minnesota. Diane met her husband, Ron, while he was stationed in the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, After a short courtship, they later married in Minneapolis. They remained married just short of 66 years, until Ron’s passing.

Diane and Ron raised their four kids in a Forest Service community, a mile high in southern California, where Diane loved mountain life. Family was always number one to Diane and she was happy they had the opportunity to raise the kids in this close mountain community. Later, the family moved to Hansville, where Diane retired from the Marine Science Center in Poulsbo. While working full-time, she attended Central WA University where she received her bachelor’s degree. As empty nesters, they later built a home in Port Ludlow. Diane lived in Port Townsend the past three years, to be close to family.

Diane and Ron remained active in politics all their adult lives and included the kids in political events. In the 1980s they received the Warren G. Magnuson awards for the WA State Male and Female Democratic Volunteers of the year and were presented the awards at the Paramount Theater.

Diane was a competitive Scrabble player and an avid reader. She loved cooking and baking, volunteering in schools, entertaining friends, camping and traveling, but most of all, spending time with family.

She is survived and greatly missed, by son Erik (Lacey), daughters Dana, Sue (Ben), and Jenny, her grandkids Cory, Ashley, Tate and Chelsea, five great grandkids and two brothers. Her husband, Ron, passed away in December of 2021.

A private service was held at Fort Worden Cemetery, where she joined her loving husband.

Donations in Diane’s memory may be made to Jefferson Healthcare Hospice, NPR, or towards neurological research. To honor Diane, please wear a helmet when bike riding, take the time to play a game, read a book to a child, and be kind. Family and friends can share memories and sign the online guestbook.