Diana Marie Gundlach

MADISON  /  PORTAGE  -- Diana Marie Gundlach, age 39, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2010 at Meriter Hospital in Madison, due to complications related to leukemia.

She was born on April 3, 1970 to Paul and Jane Gundlach and grew up in Portage, Wisconsin.  She received her Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.  Diana has two children, whom she adored, Paul and Piper, who attend Chavez Elementary School in Madison.  She was employed at the Day Care Center at Meriter Hospital for 14 years.  Diana was very active in Boy Scouts and all of her children’s activities.  She loved her cat, Tux, and her dog, Paige. 

Diana is survived by her mother, Jane Gundlach, Portage;  her son, Paul Schwantes, 9, Madison;  her daughter, Piper Schwantes, 5, Madison;  her brother, Philip (Christi) Gundlach, Baltimore, MD;  her sisters, Laura (Robert) Kairis, Muskego, WI, Mary (David) Krumplitsch, Appleton, WI, and Peggy (Sean) Malone, Portage;  eleven nieces and nephews;  other near relatives and many close friends.  She was preceded in death by her father, Paul.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2010 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 305 W. Cook St., Portage, Wisconsin, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding.  Inurnment will be private on April 3, 2010.  Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home, 430 W. Wisconsin St., Portage, WI, and on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Diana’s many friends for their support and care of Diana and her children during her treatment, and the doctors and nurses at Meriter Hospital for their dedication and care throughout.

A fund for the benefit of the children has been established at Park Bank in Madison.  Contributions can be made to “Friends of Diana Gundlach”, c/o Park Bank, 202 S. Park St., Madison, WI  53715.