Diane Benes

Ena Diane Benes (Hill) was born on June 26, 1943, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Helga (Stevenson) and Sydney Hill. She was raised in Flin Flon, MB, where she attended school. Following graduation, Diane pursued her passion for helping others by entering the School of Nursing at St. Boniface, MB, in 1961. She graduated in 1964 as a Registered Nurse.

That same year, Diane married the love of her life, Bill Benes, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 61 years. The couple began their life together in Snow Lake, MB, where Diane worked at a small seven-bed hospital and where their daughter, Barbara, was born in 1965.

After two years, Diane and Bill moved to Butte, MT, where Bill attended the School of Mines and began his career in the mining industry. In 1970, following Bill’s graduation, they moved to Bismarck, ND, where their son Derrick was born. Over the next several years, Bill’s work led the family to many new communities — from Bismarck to St. Clairsville, OH; to Indianapolis, IN; Anchorage, AK; Tulsa, OK — before finally returning to Bismarck in 1979, where they made their permanent home.

Diane’s nursing career took her from that small hospital in Snow Lake to larger hospitals in Butte, MT, and later, after a ten-year hiatus to raise her family, to St. Alexius and Mid Dakota Clinic in Bismarck. She was deeply devoted to her patients and found great fulfillment in caring for others.

Faith was central to Diane’s life. She was an active member of her church and loved serving through women’s ministries. Above all, Diane cherished her family — her greatest joy and blessing.

Diane is survived by her loving husband, Bill; her children, Barbara Oliger and Derrick Benes;. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Her warmth, compassion, and unwavering faith will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM, on Thursday October 30, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave.

Visitation will be held from 12:30- 1:30 PM, on Thursday October 30, at Eastgate Funeral Service.