Dianne Contardi, age 72, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, September 20, 2016, at her home in Prior Lake, with her family at her side.

The Contardi family will greet guests on Friday, September 23, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel and one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, September 24, at 9:30 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Pall bearers will be Taylor Hulett, Anthony Contardi, Steve Contardi, Roger Hueppchen, Dave Rosene, and Jason Decoux. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed by Dianne’s family in her memory.

On November 4, 1943 in Columbia, South Carolina, Jalmer and Irene (Peterson) Mattson welcomed their only daughter, Dianne Irene, into their arms. At the time of her birth, Dianne’s dad was serving in the Air Force in South Carolina. After Jalmer was discharged, the family returned to the small town of Stambaugh, Michigan. Dianne did all the normal childhood activities, but it was her high school years, when her life truly flourished. Living on top of the hill, Dianne had her eyes set on the neighborhood boy living at the bottom of the hill: Richard “Dick” Contardi. She enjoyed watching him play school sports, attending dances (despite Dick’s two left feet) and entertaining the community in various musical groups. Dianne was often a prankster and would watch Dick with her binoculars as he was fixing up his junk cars and would wait until he was under the car to call him, and did this repeatedly.

Throughout life, Dianne had a special love for music, and was quite talented. She was involved in the school band and Thespian Society. Dianne also played the organ and piano at her church and sang in the choir. She also played the banjo, concertina, and accordion with various bands and groups in the area.

Graduating in 1961 from Stambaugh High School, Dianne wed her high school sweetheart on September 12, 1964. After living for a short time in Rochester, New York, Dick took a job at Control Data Corporation in Minnesota. First living in an apartment in Bloomington and then to their first home in Burnsville, Dianne and Dick moved to their current home in Prior Lake in 1979. Along the way, they welcomed two precious children, Brad and Teresa.

As a family, they truly enjoyed the many camping trips with friends. Throughout their camping years, they visited campgrounds throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, and Wyoming. She particularly loved Crescent Lake in the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. While camping and also closer to home, Dianne loved casting a line in hopes of catching “The Big One”. On the home front, she relished attending her children’s sporting, musical, and school events. Dianne was also a member of the Prior Lake PTA, where she was a great negotiator for the school deals.

Dianne loved football, her true love was always the Green Bay Packers. Dianne was even fortunate enough to attend two Super Bowls, one here in Minnesota and the other in San Diego, cheering on her beloved Packers. She had other passions, too. She enjoyed watching the birds, deer, turkeys and other wildlife that entered her back yard and campsites. Dianne also loved raising and caring for her dogs. She loved flowers, spending countless hours (and dollars) shopping at all of the local nurseries for the perfect flowers to plant every year in the yard and on their deck.

The greatest passion in Dianne’s life was being a devoted wife, mom and grandma. Known as ‘The Boss,” she was strong willed, sassy, and occasionally a prankster. A perfectionist, Dianne was also frugal and very organized. Dianne also loved to entertain, especially around the holidays and would research and try new recipes to make the holidays exceptional. It was her three grandchildren, Anthony, Lexi and Danielle, who brought Dianne the greatest joy. She loved watching them grow. From playing on the rug, watching them take first steps, to attending their band concerts, sporting events and school activities, Dianne was a very involved Grandma!

Left to honor Dianne’s life and will forever miss her is her beloved husband of 52 years, Richard; son, Brad (Tina) Contardi; daughter, Teresa (Taylor) Hulett; grandchildren, Anthony Contardi, Lexi Lyons, and Danielle Contardi; puppy Chase; and other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death and there to welcome Dianne home are her parents, Jalmer and Irene Mattson.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Contardi family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

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