Diana Ailsa (Kruger) Nuthak

life story

The most BRAVE Mom and cancer warrior...the best friend anyone could ask for

Even though cancer robbed Diana of so many life treasures, and cancer decided in the end that it was in charge....Diana refused to let that short chapter define her 42 plus years of life. What she left us with was her undying love, and commitment to her kids...every last bit of fight in her was for them...every minute she wanted to spend with them. Diana kept us laughing, and shared her humor through excruciating pain. She was kind and compassionate, and a very giving person even if to her it looked like she had nothing left to give. She emotionally touched doctors, nurses, and cashiers at the store. I will never forget the sound of her tears, but the sound of her laughter was much louder.

Diana was the wind beneath our wings

Diana was born in Kearney, NE on November 24, 1978 to Charlene Kay (Reece) Kruger Job and David Allen Kruger.

She is survived by her children Sarah Talitha Nuthak (Tali), and Seth Dorian Nuthak (Ian).

She is survived by her Step-Mom Alice Kruger.

She is also survived by her Uncle Ronald (Rhonda) Kruger of Holdrege NE, Uncle Ken (Ethel) Kruger of Omaha NE, Uncle Gary (Lynn) Kruger of Amherst NE, Aunt Karyn (Bob) Meyer of Kearney NE, Aunt Sharyn Neben of Kearney, and numerous cousins that she loved so much, her life long best friend and caregiver she called "Sister" Kristina (Langrehr) Raniere Gilpin, and a plethora of other friends that meant the World to Diana...people were the most important part of her life.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Charlene Kay (Reece) Kruger Job in 2012, and David Allen Kruger in 2017. Also by her Maternal Grandparents Alice and Forest Kersting, her half Aunt Sandra Kersting, and Paternal Grandparents Geraldine and Donald Kruger.

She spent her childhood and grew up in Kearney, NE.

Attending church camp at Nebraska Youth Camp was an important piece of Diana's faith.

She graduated from Kearney High School in 1997 where she was involved in the theater department, and made friends with everyone across all groups.

After High School she attended college at Iowa Western Community College, and York College. Diana earned her associates degree at York College.

On August 16, 2002 Diana and her now-former husband welcomed her daughter Sarah Talitha Nuthak (Tali). On May 10, 2006 Seth Dorian Nuthak (Ian) was born.

These two kiddos were her very will to live, they were her everything. The self sacrifice that was seen from her was amazing and baffling. She pushed past the most extreme pain for one more day with them, to tell them she loved them one more time.

As an adult and a mother Diana lived in Council Bluffs IA, York NE, Kearney NE, International Falls MN, Duluth MN, Eagan MN, Sikeston MS, Howe IN, Sharonville OH, and Circle Pines MN. Diana faced many health diagnoses, and struggles...she took them all head on. Her Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis came as a surprise after a complete hysterectomy, which is very rare.

Her prognosis was one that was always terminal...but she fought with 5 different chemotherapy medications, radiation, lymphedema treatments (the cancer also attacked her lymph system, shutting that down, aiding to the pain and not draining), pain management including a pain pump in her port...plus a lot of humor....all of us were ok if it was at our expense...

Fighting this cancer to Diana was physically painful, but to her every moment with her kids was worth it...living this life out loud was worth it. Life was never easy for her, but she loved it! She radiated her kindness and love for others. Her love for all children, the vulnerable...just simply everyone!

Throwing the cancer aside, she was more than the cancer...that didn't define her! She wanted everyone to know and remember her before this diagnosis. Diana never gave up on people...ever! She loved relentlessly!

She was known for knowledge and advocacy of autism, her strong love of music, her records spinning, all things 80's, My Little Pony's (and I mean she knew everything about them), knowledge of trivia...some useless, some not...she could win at any Trivial Pursuit game, The movie "Dirty Dancing", she loved make-up...especially eyeshadow, and having her toes painted. At if any point you thought she was beat at this life...not at all, she showed you up with endurance, a one liner, or some off the wall request like a root beer float at 1am. Which may be why this terminal illness leaves us in shock of the woman who had so much fight in her. She was never really dying, she lived all the way until her body gave her no choice. Just this past May she was discharged from the hospital, and we drove right to a drive-in Bon Jovi concert, and 2 days later against all medical advice...took an airplane to go visit Tali....Diana had no regrets, that would be the last time they got to see each other. On the way to the airport, so early in the morning...a rainbow....we knew this trip was going to be ok.

At Diana's front door is a door mat...it reads "Be Kind" This is exactly what she would want me to leave you with...Be Kind...

memorial service

We have had a very heavy last few months while caring for Diana, and our family is taking our time to throw her the celebration of life party she desired and deserves. She radiated her beauty for 42 years, blessed me in friendship for 32 years, and cancer took so much of our attention for a year and half, I want to take a minute, breathe, rest, and fully remember everything about my amazing best friend before the cancer. We will update with details once they have been solidified. Thank you for your patience on this.