DIANNE (COLBERT) AKER

Apr. 24, 1943 - Jan. 28, 2014
MISHAWAKA - Dianne L. Aker, 70, passed away 7:15 PM Tuesday, January 28, 2014, at her home after a brief illness. Dianne was born on April 24, 1943, in South Bend, and attended John Adams High School.

She worked for over 20 years as a Dispensing Optician at C & B Optical and previously in the office at Tepe's. Dianne had two children, Jodi Aker and Bryan Aker Sr.; one grandchild, Bryan Aker Jr., all of Mishawaka; a nephew, Richard Colbert of South Bend; and one brother, Cecil Colbert Jr. of South Bend.

She was preceded in death by two nephews, Ross and Robert Colbert; her stepfather, Samuel A. Mills; and her parents, Cecil W. Colbert and A. Berdine (Conine) Mills.

The joy of Dianne's life was raising her two children, Jodi and Bryan, and doting on her grandson, Bryan Jr. She enjoyed playing cards - especially canasta with Jodi, and playing board games with Bryan Sr. and Bryan Jr. Scrabble was a favorite of hers and a game she rarely lost. Dianne loved music and was a talented singer and musician. She played her beloved alto saxophone and was able to play piano by ear. Her home was filled with music that she sang along with or whistled to. Her all-time favorite was Elvis, and also enjoyed The Righteous Brothers, CCR, Charlie Rich, Johnny Cash, Boots Randolph, Fats Domino, Neil Diamond, and most recently, Susan Boyle and II Volo.

She was a voracious reader with a strong appetite for learning. She shared her love of reading with her son, Bryan Sr., and they often shared books. Some of her favorite authors were Dean Koontz, Clive Cussler, James Rollins and Stephen King. It was not uncommon for her to read multiple books at one time and she could talk for hours with fellow book lovers. A self-proclaimed "sun worshiper" - she especially enjoyed reading outside. Dianne spent as much time as possible outdoors.

She loved to be near water and some of her favorite childhood memories included going to the lake with her father. When her children were young, she had an enormous garden that she tended to herself - growing vegetables for her family. Her annual spring outing to the nursery to pick out flowers was a great joy of hers. She lovingly cared for her flowers and took great pride in them. Non-stop begonias were one of her favorites and a must in her planters. She planted and nurtured the most beautiful blue hydrangeas imaginable - the entire neighborhood enjoyed them as well as passerby. A talented seamstress, Dianne made clothes for her children when they were young as well as all their Halloween costumes - often themed. She spent several years sewing crewel, teaching her daughter the art, and created beautiful pieces for her mother.

She quit smoking after 50+ years and turned to embroidery to keep her hands busy. She lovingly embroidered pillow cases for her family. Dianne loved movies and going to "the show" with her children and grandchild, enjoying buttered popcorn. She particularly loved science fiction, thrillers, and dramas with the occasional comedy.

A "foodie," Dianne loved going out to eat with friends and family. She wasn't picky about the where - just going was the fun part for her and she looked forward to such outings. She was incredibly social and enjoyed the time out with friends and family as much as the meal itself. She made delicious fudge from scratch each Christmas and loved to prepare favorite meals for her children and grandchild; spoiling them with favorite treats often was also a great joy for her. Dianne was incredibly generous, spending all she had on her children and grandchild was a huge joy for her.

Nothing made her happier than finding that perfect gift. She always made sure the holidays were extra special, showering her family with love. Always thoughtful and compassionate, Dianne never said a bad word to anyone. She never criticized nor complained - it simply wasn't in her nature to find fault in others. She went to great lengths to protect others' feelings and make everyone in her life feel special and important. Dianne knew no strangers - everyone who met her was instantly drawn to her kind, gentle nature, along with a quick smile and whit, it was impossible not to like her. Even in adversity, she was always bubbly and cheerful; if asked how she was, a quick "oh I'm splendid" regardless of her health or condition, was heard. She had a cherished, tight-knit group of friends who helped care for her in the last weeks of her life.

The family would like to say thank you to the kind nurses and aides on floor 10 of Memorial Hospital and to the kind, compassionate folks at the Center for Hospice.

A memorial service for Dianne L. Aker will be 2:00 PM Sunday, February 2, 2014, at Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, IN 46615, where friends may visit with the family one hour prior to services. Memorial contributions may be made to Dianne's charity of choice, the Paralyzed Veterans of America-Development Dept., 801 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 02006. Palmer Funeral Home and Southlawn Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the Aker family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.