Diane Julia Slivnik, 81, Sartell, formerly of Bowlus

January 7, 1935 – November 26, 2016

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Diane J. Slivnik, 81, Sartell, will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Cloud. Fr. David Grundman will officiate and burial will take place in the St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery in Bowlus. Diane passed away Saturday evening in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family. There will be a visitation from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home, St. Cloud with parish prayers at 5:00 PM and again after 9:30 AM Thursday morning at St. Michael’s Church, St. Cloud.

Diane was born on January 7, 1935 to Michael and Pauline (Klosowski) Stodolka on the family farm near Bowlus. She was one of 12 children and graduated from the local high school. At age 20, on August 29, 1955, she married Alfred Slivnik at the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Bowlus. The couple had two children and embraced Terrance as a foster child like one of their own, and welcomed many others over the years as loving foster parents. Diane and Al farmed in St. Stephen and Opole before moving to St. Cloud in 1989. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially traveling to check crops with Al, fishing, vegetable and flower gardening, and watching hummingbirds on the feeders. Diane liked to cook and bake – her family fondly remembers her “ploszek” (polish pizza) and coffee cake. She truly loved her family and was happiest surrounded by them. She cherished family time and adored her granddaughters. Diane was always concerned and protective of her family and wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of. She was a spunky woman who enjoyed traveling with Al and her family and casino visits. They would take road trips to Duluth, the Black Hills, and to Laughlin, NV, to name a few. Diane worked at the St. Cloud Hospital in the Processing and Sterilization department for 16 years. She is a member of St. Michael’s Church in St. Cloud.

Diane is survived by Al Slivnik, her husband of 61 years, Sartell; her children Bonnie (Robert) Moore, Cold Spring; Mark (Cindy) Slivnik, Sauk Rapids; her foster children Terrance (Denise) Finneman, St. Joseph; Kelly (Glen) Sanftner, TN; her siblings Violet Pintok, Marilyn Miller, Ted Stodolka, Ken Stodolka; her granddaughters Kari Smoley, Noelle Schubert, Mariah Hofstad; as well as many other family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Irene Winkler, Florence Warzecha, Clarence Stodolka, Jerry Stodolka, Edwin Stodolka, Clem Stodolka, and Mike Stodolka.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional care and compassion shown Diane by the staff at Country Manor, the St. Cloud Hospital, and Heartland Hospice.