Diane L. Gallegos

In the early morning of June 2^nd, 2023, Diane Leona Gallegos, age 78, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus after her courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Diane was born on June 3^rd, 1944, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the 4^th child of twelve children born to Arthur and Violet Aaserude née Olson. Diane was selfless and caring from a young age. She looked after her grandfather, Anton Aaserude while in grade school and at the age of 10, she cared for her young cousin after her grandmother passed. She was very outgoing and began working as a teenager, staying in Gilby, North Dakota, working as a nanny for two different families. Diane attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis after graduating from Gilby High School.

 She met her lifelong partner and husband, Alejandro as a part of the campus ministry Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Diane and Alex got married in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1969 and to this union three children Ivy, David, and Samuel were Born. 

Both Diane and her husband enjoyed ministry and Diane was known for her musical ability. She played several instruments and was a talented singer. She also loved creative writing, including writing her own songs.  She was also a gifted artist and loved painting.

Diane’s family members remember her as being a monarch of faith, a prayer warrior, and relentless in bringing the good news of the gospel to her family. Diane was outspoken and unashamed of her faith in Jesus. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready for a good time! Diane was the spice of the family and known for being the chili powder to Alex’s fajitas! She had a servant’s heart and was fiercely devoted to caring for her husband, her son with Down’s Syndrome, and to her mother who suffered with dementia for 10 years.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Violet Aaserude; her siblings, Carol Hill, Laverne Vold, Anne Marie, Richard Aaserude, Melvin Aaserude, Jerome Aaserude, and Daniel Aaserude; and her brother-in-law, Don Hill.

She is survived by her husband, Alex of Pleasant Hill; her daughter and son-in-law, Ivy and David Anderson of Pleasant Hill; her son, David Gallegos of Pleasant Hill and her son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Melissa Gallegos of Olathe, Kansas; her grandchildren, Joshua Anderson, Abigail (and Joseph) Sargent, Joel Anderson, Josiah Gallegos, Alexa Gallegos, Katelyn Gallegos, Sarah Gallegos, Max Gallegos, and Olivia Gallegos; her brother, Steve Aaserude of Cass Lake, Minnesota; her brother and sister-in-law, Calvin and Tish Aaserude of West Fork, Arkansas; her sister and brother-in-law, Gloria and Timothy Davies of Cheyenne, Wyoming; her sister, Penelope Aaserude of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Daniel’s wife, Leslie Aaserude of St. Paul, Minnesota; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, extended relatives, and friends.

A graveside funeral service was held Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Pastor Brent Blaise officiated.  Casket bearers were Walter Anderson, Calvin Aaserude, Cody Lewis, Chuck Miller, Eldon Miller, and Joseph Sargent.

A celebration of Diane’s life was held Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Grace and Truth Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill. Pastor Brent Blaise officiated.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Billy Graham Association or the National Alzheimer’s Association and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080