"A great, fun loving friend for over 50 years. Rest in Peace. "
In loving memory of
Diane Margaret Toogood
April 29, 1943 - October 28, 2021
Diane Toogood, 78, of Rochester, passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021 at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, MN.
Diane was born April 29, 1943 in Pine Island, MN to Harold and Katherine (Stussy) Klingsporn. Diane was a graduate of Pine Island High School. On May 25, 1963, she married Roger Toogood. Diane was an accomplished musician. She served as church organist and choral director at numerous churches in the area, accompanied school choirs in Byron and at Lourdes High School, and also gave private music lessons for countless years. Diane was so passionate about music that she founded the Rochester Area Girls' Choir. Having an ear for music, she also served as a vocal judge at the state music competitions. If you didn't see Diane playing at a local wedding or funeral, she most likely would be found in the orchestra pit for The Miss Minnesota pageant or playing for various community musicals. Diane also would entertain guests by playing piano in the local hotel lobbies, or as part of a jazz trio or accordion group. She had the gift of music and gab. Diane was a human connector. She had a knack for making everyone feel as though they were the most important person to her. She took great pride in getting to know people and listening to their life stories. Although music was her passion, Diane had a love for her family and friends that was immeasurable.
Diane is survived by her daughters, Robbin (Chris) Holtz of Minneapolis, MN and Dawn (Doug) Betti of Owatonna, MN; grandchildren, Lisette, Jonathan, Lauren and Joseph Betti; sisters, Mary (David) Bjarnason, Rose Ann Fox; niece, Brynja Bjarnson and nephew, Kris Bjarnason. Diane is also survived by a host of other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger and by her parents, Harold and Katherine.
An open house to celebrate Diane's life will be held 4:00-7:00PM Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Ranfranz and Vine Reception Centre, 5482 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. To match her radiant personality, Diane requests that everyone wear, bright and bold colors, nothing somber and sad. Memorial contributions in Diane's name may be made to a music program at your local church or in your community. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Toogood family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"I'm not able to attend the celebration today. Diane and I must hold some sort of record for the number of weddings etc. that we played together. Always a joy. God bless you my friend. Darryl Wick, Trumpet"
"What wonderful memories we have of Diane at Fellowship events. Her laugh was contagious ; her musical and people skills were unsurpassed; and her friendship was something to treasure. We have a cross that she gave us ? it hangs on our sun porch, an appropriate place coming from such a ray of sunshine herself. We are saddened by her passing but so grateful that she was a part of our lives for so many years."
"Sounds like a wonderful person. Music is the heart of the soul...and her obituary made her out to be very connected to God, while she was here on this earth. I, once . was a contestant in the Miss Minnesota Pageant, now I wonder if she was in the orchestra pit. Rest In Peace Diane, and thank you for sharing all of your talents with us."
"I am saddened to learn of the loss of Diane. She was a master of the organ. I have missed her excellent organ preludes, recessionals and offerings at ARC. Diane could play the King of Instruments like no other. I often stayed after the service was over just so I could hear the end of her piece. May her memory and her joy be a comfort to her family."
"Dear family of Diane, I was very saddened to read of her death. I have wonderful memories of her making music in Rochester, especially at Christ UMC. May your memories and the everlasting love of God sustain and strengthen at this time of loss. Shalom, Fran Field "
"I can't add too much to the wonderful tributes here by those who received piano & voice lessons from Diane as we got to know Diane as she taught our daughters. Both girls sang in RAGC and our older daughter got to be part of Ambassadors. I am so happy I connected again with Diane a couple years ago at River Bend when I was visiting another friend there. It was the day we passed on our piano. I am so happy that I then continued to call & visit her regularly and shared memories of choir camps, tours, shows. So glad I was able to have a last joyful visit with her October 22. Thank you Diane for making the world better with your smile, your laugh, and your musical talents. You will live on through all those whose lives you touched. Our sympathy to all. Julie & Jim Gilkinson , Andrea & Emily"
"So sorry to hear of this great loss! I was in "Accordion Band" ----- way back when we were pre-teens!!! Like 8! Was so much fun!!! Thanks. Diane, for all the fun through the years!!!! My sympathy to all! "
"I have very fond memories of my time with Diane! I had played piano earlier in life and wanted to get back into it and lucked out with Diane. She was such fun as a teacher! I also got the opportunity to work with Diane with the RAGC. My youngest daughter was part of it too - we had fun together at rehearsals and a couple tours. Diane worked with me and my parents so we could take a trip to my hometown. It was fun to see my parents busting with pride to watch their granddaughter participate. I haven't seen Diane for too long and was so sad to hear she had passed away. As others have said, she had a zest for life and seemingly unlimited energy and passion for people and music. So many fond memories - you will be missed, Diane!!"
"I remember Mrs. Toogood so affectionately from my many years in RAGC. My time with Diane truly channeled my love of singing and taught me so much about music. She was patient with me because I could be a bit of a wild child. When I saw her 25 years later she was so kind. I apologized for my behavior way back when. She said she didn?t remember any of it. I loved her for that. "
"Diane was a dear, dear friend who will be greatly missed. I have gone down memory lane, for the past couple of days, remembering the many times we were together either as friends or in all the musical events we did together. She taught my kids piano lessons, sang duets with me, laughed and cried with me. But the memory I will always remember is her smile and her loving, caring ways for all people. Robbin and Dawn, your mom was one in a million. Love you Diane, Lynne Miller"
"I know her as "Mrs Toogood" because I took piano lessons from her as a child. I certainly enjoyed her teaching. She had a great method of rewarding students. She would give them little plastic busts of great composers like Mozart and Beethoven. She will be missed by all. "
"Diane touched so many lives through her years. How many keyboards in southeastern Minnesota and beyond did she touch? Her passion and exuberance for music was shared through every finger on the keyboard and through her work with others. We spent many hours with Diane over several years going to our daughters' earliest piano and voice lessons. They were a part of the Rochester Area Girls' Choir and our oldest daughter was also part of the Young Ambassadors show choir. There are so many memories of Diane's laughter and giggles as she interacted with her singing groups......she was supportive of the talents of each individual and was always encouraging new challenges. She included many styles of music and the concerts were always a balance of genres. Of course, she also added some choreography! We'll hold close the memories of the opportunities given: Frosty Follies, the Chatfield Western Days musicals of Guys and Dolls, Meet Me in St. Louis, Minnesota Music Teacher Association contests, recitals, concerts, performing for organizations or churches, RAGC tours and camps, accompanying students for competitions, recordings, musicals, etc. She was a great listener for her "kids" (and their parents), interacting with an open mind and heart to all the tribulations that growing up involved. She was thrilled to have her piano moved into her room recently and was taking requests and playing for her hallmates. She was a bright light and found ways to share that light with others. Our family is grateful that our paths crossed, she will be dearly missed and remembered fondly. Lighting a candle.....in remembrance and gratitude, Linda & Bill Thompson and family"
"I will miss you so much Diane. You were such a wonderful pianist and music teacher for our daughter, Michelle. You played a part in her decision to become a music teacher. She now has a master's degree in music teaching elementary students. You taught choir at my church, Christ United Methodist in Rochester, and our daughter was in the Rochester Area Girls Choir under your direction. I will always remember our fun trip to Milwaukee together that you arranged. Your beautiful voice will always stay in my memory, and your musical skills on the piano were next to none. Thank you for every person you touched in your lifetime. We will miss you. "
"I remember when we had Stussy's reunions and Diane played an Accordion. She was always blessed with a music talent. I sure she will find a place in the heavenly choir."
"One in a million. Such adventures we had in Real Estate. Always a friend, always keeping in touch through the years. Deeply missed, never replaced. My sincere condolences to her lovely, and deeply loved family. She talked about you incessantly! Gods Blessings."
" Memories date back to family picnics at the farm of great grandparents Fred and Kate Stussy. Throughout the years, Diane was the first person thought of when a pianist or organist was needed; her talent and joyful personality was enjoyed by all. She was a blessing to our mother, Maxine Stussy Harris. Condolences to Diane' s family. From cousins Jackie, Pat and Jerry"
"I think I spent more time in high school with Diane than I did with my own Family. I went to Lourdes and she and the word "music" were synonymous, the same is true with the words "kindness", "talent" and "laughter". I remember Diane picking me up at 5:00 am in her van (decked out with orange lighted beverage holders that I had never seen before in a vehicle!) just to get me to early morning rehearsals. I was "married" to her daughter Robbin in Fiddler On The Roof, Dawn was in the play as well and I felt like I was part of this great musical family. I now have a daughter of my own who is in musical theater and I have told her many stories about a wonderful woman named Diane who was just too good! Thank you Diane for all the gifts you gave us and cheers to your amazing life... "To Life, to life l'chaim""
"For 10+ years I spent at least 2 hours a week with this woman; often, closer to 5 or more. Piano lessons. Voice lessons. RAGC. Ambassadors Show Chior. She noticed my every haircut. She knew my every crush. She laughed at my idiotic jokes. When I first traveled away from home without family, it was with Diane. When I first got my heartbroken, the adult who saw me through it was Diane. When I first wanted to try leadership, the opportunity was provided by Diane. Sure, she taught me how to play the piano, taught me how to sing, taught me silly choreography, taught me how to use my emotions to create art. But those lessons are nothing in comparison to the other lessons she shared: how to grow strong relationships, how to live with purpose, how to teach with compassion at the forefront, how to be empathetic and open-minded, how to let art heal pain... I wrote Diane a letter a few weeks ago. In it, I tried to capture how much she meant to me. It was 7 pages. I barely made a dent--70 more letters could still not cover it all. Tomorrow, you'll find me wearing bright colors to honor my mentor, Diane: you'll hear me humming "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" (and maybe doing some choreo). Love you, Diane. The world was beyond lucky to have had you in it."