Dianna Demke (Meyers), also known as Nan, Mama, Di, passed away peacefully on January 23rd, at the age of 71. Her childhood was filled with summers on her grandparents' farm in Wisconsin, trudging to and from the library with a handful of books, and spending time with her sister Louisa and parents, Helen and Louis Curoso in Chicago.

From a young age she industriously pursued her crafts, from lying about her age to get her first job, to working in the hat department at Marshall Fields, and ultimately obtaining a hard-fought Biology degree from University of Illinois, Chicago. From there she stepped into her newfound world of food. She braved the kitchens of restaurants, fish mongers, and newspaper test kitchens all across Chicago where she cemented her fiercely independent and capable spirit.

Her adulthood was filled with culinary adventures, road trips with her family, and making quirky cut-outs from magazines. She had three main loves, her husband, Otto, her children, Brigette, Owen, and Peter, and their family business, Gepperth's Meat Market, where she spent countless chaotically joyful days for over 39 years of its 115-year history.

Her creativity showed through the playfully-decorated chocolates at her shop in Ravenswood, the pieces of furniture she beautifully restored, and the many blankets and crafts she made for the people in her life. Faith was a constant, from singing in the Polish National Church Choir, to the community that she cultivated and cherished at St. Andrew's.

Dianna's compassion knew no bounds, always found in the kitchen at fundraisers, supervising / lending a helping hand. Whether you knew her for years or you had just met, she treated you like family or a long-lost friend. While she was incredibly easy to love, she always told her three children, Brigette (the apple of her eye), Owen (her sunshine), and Peter (her dream come true), "Remember, I love you more".

Dianna's family and friends welcome you to join in her celebration and a remembrance of the many ways she touched people's lives. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 28th at Cooney Funeral Home from 3-8pm. She will be remembered and celebrated at 1pm on Wednesday, January 29th at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, a place dear to her heart. The memorial will be available for viewing online at this link https://www. standrewsparkridge.org / and will be followed by her internment at St. Joseph's cemetery and a reception at Portillo's for one of her favorite meals (all addresses below). In honor of her vibrant personality and love of color, please dress colorfully for this celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers, her family welcomes non-perishable food donations to St. Matt's Soup Kitchen, or a donation to Doctors Without Borders or Mercy Ships in her name, in remembrance of her giving spirit and kind heart. https://www. mercyships.org/?form=donate https:// www.msf.org/donate

Visitation. 3pm-8pm Tuesday, January 28th

Cooney Funeral Home: 625 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068

Memorial / Celebration

1pm Wednesday, January 29th with brief visitation beginning at 12:30pm

St. Andrews Lutheran Church: 260 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068

St. Joseph's Cemetery: Belmont & N. Cumberland Ave, River Grove, IL 60171