The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Diane was born to Albert and Hortense Larson in Venice, California. She attended and graduated from Millikan High School in Long Beach, California, in 1957.

She married the love of her life, Gary Rodgers, on May 8, 1959. They started their family in Garden Grove, California and then moved to Dana Point, California in 1968. After vacationing in Central Oregon, they decided to move to Sisters in 1972 with their five children, Mark, Phillip, Stephen, Susan and Joseph, to develop and operate the Sisters KOA campground. After running the campground for four years, they sold the business.

In 1977, Diane and two of her longtime friends bought and ran the Depot Deli in Sisters for 10 years. After selling the deli in 1987, Diane went to work with Gary helping to run his construction company. Diane and Gary both retired in 2006 and went on to travel the world and the U.S.

Anyone who knew Diane can tell you how much she cherished her family and friends. She lived her life to the fullest and met all her challenges with grace and dignity. Whether she was hiking, running Hood to Coast with her "Blistered Sisters," mountain-biking, camping, gardening, quilting, reading or entertaining she did it with a true zest for life.

She was greatly admired by her family and friends, so no one was surprised when she water-skied on one ski on her 70th birthday. She never shied away from challenges and taught her children to work hard and embrace their lives.

Diane approached everything with a "can-do" attitude! She volunteered as an EMT, read with elementary students in the SMART Program, helped battered women as a Saving Grace Volunteer and helped author a cookbook to benefit the Sisters Food Bank.

Serving others was important to Diane. She and Gary loved entertaining and making people feel welcome in their home. They were active members of two dinner groups and proudly included friends throughout Sisters Country. Diane passed away on July 26, 2018. She had been challenged by the effects of a stroke suffered in 2014, but throughout it all she read, attended her book club, went to lunch with friends and celebrated weddings, births, and holidays with those who loved and admired her so much. She was an amazing wife, mother, and friend and will be forever missed by those who loved her.

Diane is survived by her husband Gary; sons Mark Rodgers (wife Kathy), Steve Rodgers (wife Robin), Joe Rodgers (wife Sheri); daughter Susie Rodgers; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by son Phil Rodgers.

Contributions in Diane's memory may be made to the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank, http://www.sisterskiwanis.org/food-bank.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 25 at 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy.