Diane Rae (Jensen) Bland

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Diane Rae Bland (nee Jensen), passed away on August 18, 2023, at the age of 82, in Lethbridge, Alberta at the Chinook Regional Hospital. She is the beloved wife of Garfield Osborn Bland. Diane was born in Lethbridge at the Galt Hospital on April 18, 1941, to Golden and Lela Jensen (nee Russell). She spent her childhood in Fincastle, Alberta, but completed her education in Taber, AB. She married her high school sweetheart, Garfield on December 20, 1958. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this coming December.

Diane spent most of her married life in Lethbridge, AB. She had three biological children, Cameron Bland (deceased), Kevin (Lorie) Bland, Alyson (Alan) Scoville, and three adopted children, Karin Bland (deceased), Christopher Bland (deceased) and Amanda Bland. She also had a foster-daughter named Line Gagne (Nick Mayfield). Diane leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Diane is survived by her sister Jean (Blair) Williams of Alexandria, ON., and brother Keith Jensen of Lethbridge, AB. She is predeceased by her parents, parents-in-law, Osborn and Elaine Bland (nee Schmidt) and siblings, Susan Jensen and John Jensen. Family was very important to her, and she loved visiting with all her relatives near and far. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Diane enjoyed a busy life, not only raising her family, but Garfield and she were foster parent to over 120 children in their career. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her faith was very important to her. She served as a Primary president and Young Women’s president. This calling was such a special time for her, and many of her “girls” have fond memories of sleepovers, camping trips, and many other fun activities. One of her final callings was serving in a young adult ward in Lethbridge. She was always willing to help and loved to be around the youth of the church.

Anyone who knew Diane, knew her love of animals, and in her lifetime, she had many birds, dogs, cats and smaller animals. She had a special bond with her blue-fronted amazon parrot, Cookie, who will miss her dearly. Diane had many hobbies, but she spent countless hours working on genealogy, reading and doing needlework, such as crewel, embroidery, and stamped cross-stitch. There are many of her finished works hanging in her family home. Diane loved spending time in her garden and took great care and pride in having a beautifully manicured yard. When her health started to decline, losing the ability to garden was so hard for her.

Christmas was her favourite season/holiday, and she always started decorating early in the Fall. In 1984, she and Garfield purchased the Annandale house and spent many hours working to restore it to its former glory. Over the years they began to decorate it for the Christmas season, and eventually it became known as “The Christmas House”. This is a tradition that her family hopes to keep going in her honour.

In her life she touched so many people and many felt she was “momma bear”, and it became a term of endearment for many who knew her. She was so kind and loving, and always gave so much of her time and energy to serving those around her. She served on many boards within the city, but really enjoyed her time with The London Road Neighbourhood Association, as their secretary. Diane spent many years working at the University of Lethbridge as a secretary in many departments but has such warm memories of working in the History department. She always remembered her time there with such fondness. She also worked as a day home provider for many years; and her final job before her retirement was working at Only Women’s Fitness.

Funeral Services will be held at the LDS Lethbridge Stake Center (2410 28th Street South, next to the Enmax Center) on August 23 at 11am with Russel Jensen, First Counselor in the Bishopric of the Coulee Ridge Ward, officiating. Family and friends may meet with the family in the Relief Society Room from 10:00 -10:45 AM. Interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery, immediately following the service. There will be a viewing on Tuesday evening at Salmon and Sons Funeral Home (433 Stubb Ross Rd, Lethbridge, at the airport turn off) from 7:00 – 8:00 PM.

The family would also like to thank the many people who helped care for Diane, but especially her Home Care workers, Lonnie Murphy (and family), Ruth Milner, Diane De Marco, her grand-daughters Crystal Quinton, Chelsie Bullock, Tiffanie and Chad Reeder, Taylor and Shyan Scoville, Brandon and Trish Scoville, her daughter Alyson, and the staff of Bridge Home Care. Also her doctors, nurses and the staff at the Lower Leg Wound Clinic. You helped make her finals years comfortable and joyful. Thank you.

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