Diane Marie Currey

Diane Marie (McKenzie) Currey was born at home in Hebron, Nebraska on January 16, 1943.  She was the 2nd of 4 children of Richard McKenzie and Delma (Brewer) McKenzie. She died on May 6, 2024 at the age of 81. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary school with some of her life-long friends. She graduated from Hebron High School in 1961 and attended Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado. She learned about computers in their infancy, when they read punch cards and took up entire rooms.

Shortly before she left for Denver, a local farm boy caught her eye. She began dating Ted Currey in the summer of ‘61. He was a country boy, and she was a town girl, but something sparked between them. Ted began making frequent trips (in his fast car) to Denver to visit Diane. Sometimes he would bring friends…sometimes MANY friends that Diane would have to set up on dates with her girlfriends.

Ted and Diane were married in Sacred Heart Church on April 22, 1963. Ted was a young farmer, and Diane knew nothing about farming or cooking. She always joked that the first year of their marriage, Ted snuck back to his mom and dad’s to eat, so he didn’t starve to death. Ted soon employed some “hired men” and brought them home for dinner each day. Diane quickly learned to cook! Diane and Ted raised 3 children–Elizabeth (Buffy), Carmen and Richard. Ted continued to farm and eventually began raising cattle. Diane helped him with bookkeeping and by being a good homemaker.

Ted and Diane built a house on family land in Belvidere in 1976. Diane lived there nearly the rest of her life. Ted passed away in an accident in 1999. Diane missed him dearly these past 25 years.

Diane filled her life with a wide variety of activities. She was a mom who attended all of her children’s events. She sat through every basketball game, freezing cold (or boiling hot) track meet, 3-act play, or music concert. She volunteered for a variety of things including teaching CCD and working with the Altar Society at Sacred Heart Church for many years. After Ted passed away, she worked at Thayer County Health Center for several years in the medical records department. She enjoyed being busy and making many new friends. In Hebron, she was active in P.E.O., DW Club, and the local investment club. But the biggest joys of her life were her eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She doted on Mollie, Jonathan, Jacob, McKenzie, Skyler, Anna, Currey, Ireland, and baby Frazier.

Diane loved her family, but she was also known to love: eating chocolate candy bars, seeing a cardinal at her bird feeder, driving a really fast car, enjoying a well-cooked hamburger, or finding the perfect Coach purse.

Diane had interstitial fibrosis in her lungs for many years. She amazed doctors by remaining active even with this disease. As time progressed, the lack of oxygen affected her memory and finally her entire body.

Due to declining health, Diane moved into Courtyard Terrace Assisted Living facility in May of 2023. She enjoyed having people to help her and having people to talk to. She loved sitting in the front living room and talking to people who walked in. Living in the same town for nearly 80 years gave her the ability to know almost every person who entered. She lived there until her death.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ted; sister, Treasa (McKenzie) Reinboth; brother, Douglas McKenzie; and daughter-in-law, Soccoro Currey. Left to mourn are her children, Elizabeth “Buffy” (Mike) Frazier, Carmen (Mike) Zalman, Richard Currey; brother, Kirk McKenzie; sister-in-law, Peggy Meerse; eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and innumerable other family and friends who will always remember her for her incredible organization skills, quick smile, and kind heart.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hebron, with Father Steve Major officiating.  Organist will be Julie Kriesel.  Inurnment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.  A Rosary will be held on Thursday, May 9, at 6:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hebron.