Curtis Diener

Curtis Oliver Diener, 76, of Fredonia, passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 1, 2021, after a lengthy, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born to Oliver and Frances (nee Bunkelmann) Diener on Feb. 25, 1945, in Batavia, Wis.   

He attended Batavia Elementary School and Random Lake High School, graduating in 1963.  

Curt joined the Navy Reserve in high school and entered active naval duty in November 1963, with an honorable discharge in November 1965

He married Dian Klug (nee Schmidt) at St. John Lutheran Church in Sherman Center on Feb. 21, 1998.  

Survivors include his loving wife Dian; daughter Anne Trott (fiance Scott Klemstein) of West Bend; sons Steven (Melissa) Diener of Sturtevant, Brian Diener of Union Grove, Barry Diener of Sheboygan, James (Shayne) Klug of Random Lake and Matthew (Jilleen) Klug of Oshkosh; and grandchildren Cassie (Jeff) Cole, Ryan Trott, Cody, Hailey and Brennan Diener, Taylor Diener, Ellen Klug, Rafer and Fallon Vincent and Grace and Riley Klug.

He is further survived by his sisters Sandra (Joseph) Nicastro and Kay (Dick) Leeson; mother-in-law Arlene Schmidt of the Town of Mitchell; sisters and brothers-in-law Wayne (LuAnn) Schmidt, Lynn (Mike) Niver, Dawn (John) Spring, Joy (Brian) Thompson, Kay (Tom) Hanson and Neal (Dianne) Schmidt; aunt Helen Smith; uncle Wilmer (Bill)  and aunt Doris Bunkelmann and uncle Richard Bunkelmann; and numerous nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Frances Diener, father-in-law Allen Schmidt and daughter-in-law Jennifer Diener.

Curt was employed at Gehl Co. in West Bend and as a machinist and inspector at Simplicity Manufacturing in Port Washington for 44-plus years until his retirement in 2007.  

Curt was very proud of his naval service, and especially proud to be a guardian for a World War II veteran on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.  

Curt was an avid Packers fan and a zealous golfer.  His passion was fast and noisy sprint race cars. Curt and Dian attended racing events in several states. Curt attended the Knoxville Nationals in Iowa for 25 years with his racing buddy Ken Kruschke.   

In recent years he joined Rock Steady Boxing and never failed to be smiling after his class.  

Curt and Dian especially enjoyed “snowbird” status for the past 12 years, spending the winters at their home in Sunland Village in Mesa, Ariz.

Curt and Dian travelled extensively throughout the United States, including to Hawaii and Alaska. They especially enjoyed visiting our beautiful national parks. Overseas travel included Italy, Ireland, France, Austria and Germany. The highlight was always spending time and traveling with family and going to the grandchildren’s sporting events, plays and concerts. “Papa Curt” will always be remembered and loved.

A service was held at St John’s Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Wis., on Sunday, Sept. 5.

Eernisse Funeral Home of Port Washington is serving the family. On-line condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.