Diane Sue Vinkemeier, 60, of Gaylord

Diane Vinkemeier, 60, of Gaylord, died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis after a courageous battle with cancer.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, Nov. 8, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gaylord with the Rev. Scott Richards officiating. Curt Kahle was the organist. Special music was a CD of “Amazing Grace.” Congregational hymns were “On Eagle’s Wings” and “How Great Thou Art.”
Casket bearers were John Dietel, Mark Vinkemeier, Ross Vinkemeier, Lance Vinkemeier, Jared Vinkemeier, Jeremy Otto, Randy Nelson and Terry Nelson.
Interment was in the church cemetery.
Diane Sue (Otto) Vinkemeier was born Nov. 30, 1955, in New Ulm to Orville and Mildred (Bruss) Otto. She was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in her Christian faith, both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gaylord. She lived with her parents on their farm in Nicollet County and graduated from Gaylord High School in May 1974. Following graduation, she attended Ridgewater College in Hutchinson, earning a business certification. While in high school, she was employed part time at the Sibley County Courthouse, then at Wiman, where she first met her husband Dennis.
On Sept. 23, 1978, she was united in marriage to Dennis J. Vinkemeier at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gaylord. The couple resided in Gaylord and shared 38 years of marriage, which was blessed with a daughter, Amy Christine, and a son, Matthew Michael.
Mrs. Vinkemeier was employed at AgStar Financial Services for 29 years. She started in a part-time role and then moved into a full-time role within the insurance division. She built many strong and close friendships over the years.
She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gaylord, where she taught Sunday school and served on the altar guild. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for numerous church fundraisers and functions.
She enjoyed reading, attending craft fairs and visiting antique stores. She cherished the time she spent with her family and friends, especially playing with her grandsons, Emerson and Huxton.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis Vinkemeier of Gaylord; children, Amy (Brody) Edwards of Glencoe and Matt Vinkemeier of Glencoe; grandchildren, Emerson and Huxton Edwards; sister, Debbie (Monte) Wood of Victoria; brothers, Bill Otto of Gaylord and Duane Otto of Mankato; and nieces, nephews, and many relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Mildred Otto; sister-in-law, Kathy Otto; and nephew, Ryan Otto.
Arrangements were with the Egesdal Funeral Home in Gaylord. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.