Diane L. Barton

Diane Lee (Wells) Barton, age 70, passed away at UW Health in Madison on Monday, November 4th, 2013.

Diane was born on October 1, 1943, in Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was thedaughter ofDorothy (Heitman) Wenzler and step-daughter of Henry Wenzler. Diane began her career serving the school district of Cassville as a Teacher (specializing in the field of Home Economics). Then, for nearly twenty years, worked as the Division Chairperson of the Home Economics department at Southwestern Wisconsin Vocational-Technical Institute. Dianealso served as President of the Wisconsin Home Economics Association Council. Before retiring in the mid-nineties, Diane worked as Director for "Family Advocates" in Platteville, a domestic abuse shelter.

Diane completed her Master's degree in Education from UW Stout, and in the past several years, sang with an alumni group called the "UW-Stout Alumni-Symphonic Singers". She's performed with the group in Carnegie Hall, various cities in Italy, including the Vatican, and throughout the United Kingdom.

Diane had a strong, unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. She loved to play cards, garden, sew and socialize (her nickname was "Windy"). She occasionally served as a Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church in Cassville and taught Sunday School and at Vacation Bible School.

Diane recently began renovations on one of the oldest houses in Cassville - a house she's called "home" since June of this year.

Just fourteen months ago, Diane lost her husband of forty-six years, Jerry Barton, to cancer.

Surviving are her loving children, Clark and Cari (Brian) Baker; brother, Mike Wenzler; sisters-in-law, Pat (Mike) Wenzler and Clela (Gene) Rueter; Mother-in-law, Edith (Russell) Barton; and granddaughters, Olivia and Alayna Baker.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at the Martin Funeral Home in Cassville, with Reverend Mary Ann Floerke officiating. Visitation was held at the same location, on Friday, November 8, 2013, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services. Burial will be in the Cassville Cemetery. Martin Funeral Home in Cassville is serving the family.