Diane Marie Ristau

Diane Marie Ristau (Bagniewski), 66, of Winona, passed away unexpectedly, Friday, August 12, 2016 in Winona. She was born on December 18, 1949 to Eugene Sr. and Lucille (Larson) Bagniewski. She graduated from Cochrane Fountain City High School in 1968. On September 24, 1969 Diane married Eugene Ristau and together had 3 beautiful children, they later divorced. Through Diane's career and love of people she touched many. While living in Fountain City her love of bartending at Bay's End welcomed the patrons who regularly stopped in. She then moved to Winona and worked at ARAMARK Food Service in Lourdes Hall at WSU where the college students loved her. After that she became a general maintenance worker at WSU where her love for cleaning and perfectionism could make anything shine. She retired from WSU after 10 years. After her retirement, she moved to her dream destination of sunny beaches and warmth in Clearwater, FL where she continued to love and enjoy life until returning to Winona in 2014 to be near family. Diane was a very caring, tender woman who through determination could do anything. She cared for many, bringing a light to the room which drew people near her. Di...[more]

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was meticulous in anything she did whether it was carpentry, electronics, flower gardening, yard work, decorating or cleaning. She also loved crossword puzzels, sunny beaches, bingo, cards and traveling. Diane is survived by her two children, Tom and Shannon; siblings, Eugene Jr. (Diane), Rich (Shelley), Jeff (Pamela), Deb (Rob) Merchlewitz, Karen (Chris) Ellis, and Mary Jo (Ken) Kottmann; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; sister-in-law, Edie Bagniewski; and a longtime companion, Mike Andring. Mike was a wonderful companion for Diane and her children for 19 years. He played a large part in their lives and made many great memories with her. She is preceded in death by her son, Jason; father, Eugene Sr.; brother, Gerald Bagniewski; and Godson, Aaron Bagniewski. A Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with Reverend Monsignor Richard Colletti officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, with a prayer service at 7p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass at the church. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. "Until we meet again, let there be peace in the valley." Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, is assisting the family with arrangements. Please leave a memory of Diane and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com