Obituary of Diane Louise Fandler

Diane Louise Fandler, age 67, passed away on February 14, 2023, in Sarasota, FL. She was born in Peoria, IL on December 26, 1955, to Walter and Mary Lee (Lancaster) Zilm.  A beloved wife, mother and sister who will be missed greatly by her loving family and friends.

Diane graduated from Ottawa High School in 1974 and attended Black Hawk College. She moved to Minneapolis, MN to work for Northwest Airlines as a Flight Attendant where she met her husband, Dan Fandler. She and Dan married in 1987. They resided in Grant and Stillwater, MN where they raised their two sons for 35 years. She was a Designer for ShowHomes Minneapolis then later at Closets By Design, before retiring to Florida in 2019.

Diane loved her family and cherished her time with her sons. After introducing golf to her husband, she shared her growing love for the sport with her sons and friends for many years, especially at their summer cabin in Hayward, WI. She loved watching sunsets on the pontoon at the lake and at the beach in Florida. She tended to her beautiful gardens. She treasured family meals around the table and loved cuddling her dogs (Buddy, Bailey, Doogie, and Maggie).

Diane was an avid traveler and loved her trips with family and friends. She explored her passions for art and history on her trips to Europe and went on many adventures in their small airplane. She valued spending time with her Boca Royale community in Florida, especially biking, and golfing with the “Divas”.

Diane was a kind, gentle and loving person. She lit up every room she entered. She will be remembered for her contagious smile, incredible strength, and devotion to her two sons. She loved them with all her heart.

Diane is predeceased by her parents Walter and Mary Lee Zilm.

She is survived by her husband Dan Fandler, sons Matt Fandler (Katie McGough), and Mike Fandler (Ellie Arvesen), sisters Carol Sundeen and Patricia Bonne, brother John Zilm, and many friends and extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to plant a tree in her honor. Memorials may be sent to the Breast Cancer Research Fund at the University of Minnesota, or your local Humane Society.

A celebration of life will be held on March 8^th, 2023, at Rudy’s Redeye Grill in White Bear Lake, MN from 4 to 7 pm. We invite extended family members and friends to stop by and share memories of Diane.