Dianne Louise (Kistler) Stevens

Dianne Louise (Kistler) Stevens, 86, of Bellevue passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at her home.  She was born December 18, 1938 in Fremont the daughter of Pauline (Prentice) Kister and Wayne Kistler.

Dianne was born in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio (Fremont Memorial Hospital) and was raised in Clyde. Noted local veterinarian Dr. Carl M. Prentice of Clyde was her grandfather.

She attended Clyde High School in the early 1950’s, played clarinet in the high school band; and was Champion of intramural ping-pong league.

Dianne married Richard Kelley Stevens on October 6, 1955, in Fremont, OH; the couple resided first in Clyde and later in Bellevue. They had seven children through the years: Rebecca Louise (Tom Vitanza), Deborah Lenore, Theresa Lynn (Mario Torres), Patricia Dianne, Michael David Kelley, Victoria Ann, and Samantha Irene (Brendan Kelley).

While raising the family she worked at various local businesses in the Bellevue area including The Chart House Restaurant, White House Hamburgers, and the Ohio Turnpike Restaurants (Commodore Perry Service Plaza). She also volunteered for The Fremont Militaires and the Bellevue 4H Club.

Dianne was a graduate of the Sandusky School of Practical Nursing. She worked as an LPN and administrative assistant for long-time family practitioner Dr. Clarence Diehl, Republic, Ohio. Her nursing experience was wide ranging and included migrant clinics, Family Health Services, Serving Our Seniors, Bellevue Hospital, and Sandusky Memorial Hospital, along with serving as an emergency medical technician's assistant in the 1990's. 

Her other interests included gardening, cooking, long distance bicycle tours (Great Ohio Bike Adventure – GOBA), collecting Longaberger and Berlin baskets, and The Red Hat Club. She and Richard traveled cross-country by long-distance trains and were once stranded in Canada when the railroad workers staged a wildcat strike – this was a highlight as the passengers were well cared for during the strike.

In later years she volunteered at the Mad River & Nickel Plate Railroad Museum and the Sandusky Merry-Go-Round Museum, she worked in the gift shops at both museums. Occasionally Dianne worked as a seamstress with her long time friend Linda Garman in the costume department at Cedar Point Amusement Park.  Dianne was an avid fan of The Cleveland Indians and attended local games as an usher, she also travelled to spring training in Winter Haven, FL when possible.

Dianne was predeceased by her parents, and her brother, David Kistler.

She is survived by her children and several generations of grand-children that she poured her heart and time into including: Chad Ryan Jones, Krystal Marie Blynt, Bryon Shane (Jaclyn) Seibold, Heidi Kathleen Elise Morales (Stevens), Shay Allison Louise Stevens-McGuire, Dawson Lee Arthur Riedy, Devin Jacob Natole, and Oliver Irving (Erin) Stevens. Great grand-children include: Izabelle, Justin, Joshua and Leah, Sierra, Cameron and Cael, and Harper and Emma. Great-great grandchild: Oliver Blynt.

The family were members of the Lyme Congregational United Church of Christ.

Friends will be received on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from Noon until a funeral service begins at 2 p.m. at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue.  Burial will follow at York Chapel Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to be made to the Sandusky Career Center LPN or the LPN to RN Diploma Program. Send donations to Sandusky City Schools Board of Education, ATTN: Julie Bittinger, 407 Decatur Street, Sandusky, OH 44870