GESSLEMAN Joyce Diane Our loving wife, mom, and grandma was peacefully ushered into the presence of her Lord and Saviour on January 7, 2009 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer. Diane was born February 5, 1954 in Stettler, Alberta. She grew up on a farm south of Erskine and attended the Erskine School for grades 1-9. She then attended Prairie High School, in Three Hills, Alberta for grades 10-12. In the fall of 1975 she married the love of her life John Gessleman and they took to farming west of Alix, Alberta in the Stanton District. It was here they raised their 3 children Jeremy, James, Janine and a close niece Alyssa Boyce. Diane established a home full of love where her door was always open to the many children who considered her their second mom. They all knew a gigantic hug and a good meal awaited them. Family was extremely important to her as evidenced by the many family get-together's and trips to Fairmont, and in the later years trips to Hawaii. Friends and Community played a big role in Diane's day to day life as she raised her kids. She was involved in the children's school activities and sports commitments, either as a chauffeur or a cheerleader. John & Diane were Charter Members of the Alix Evangelical Free Church. Diane served on the church board and was a youth sponsor. Deer Valley Meadows Camp benefited from Diane's service in the area's of administration and food service. For this past year John & Diane have enjoyed fellowship with their Bible Study group from Erskine Evangelical Free Church. Because of her continuing battle with cancer, her family's desire was that these last months be spent together creating special memories. Many warm summer evenings were spent on the family boat at Alix Lake. Having her family together and watching them play on the lake brought her much joy and happiness. Memories of camping trips and time around the camp fire with extended family and special friends will be forever cherished. Diane is lovingly remembered by her husband John Gessleman; her children Jeremy (Susan) Gessleman, James (Angela) Gessleman, Janine (Ryan Cochrane) Gessleman, and close niece Alyssa Boyce; her grandchildren, her special blessings and the sources of so much joy; Amelia Gessleman, Brenden Gessleman, and Nathan Gessleman. Mourning her loss as well is her father Harold Boyce; her siblings Doug Boyce, Lois (Doug) Plett, Ken (Audrey) Boyce, Marilyn (Peter) Caden, Kathy (Sterling) Burrell, Bev (Lowry) Burrell, Murray (Lahny) Boyce; sisters-in-law: Betty (Henning) Steffensen, and Shirley (David) Jorgensen. Auntie Diane will be fondly remembered by her numerous nieces and nephews. Diane is predeceased by her mother Dorothy Boyce, her sister Christine Boyce, her brother-in-law Al Thibeau, and her parents-in-law Harvey & Muriel Gessleman. A Celebration Service of Diane's life will be held on Monday, January 12, 2009 at Cross Roads Church 38105 Range Road 275 Red Deer County, AB at 2:00 pm. A private family internment will have taken place earlier in the day. In lieu of flowers, Diane's family requests donations be made in her memory to the charity of donor's choice. Messages of special memories of time spent with Diane or of sympathy would be gratefully received at: rememberingdiane@live.ca