Dianne Kay Coons, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and lifelong resident of Arcadia, Nebraska passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Community Memorial Health
Dianne Kay was born on May 1, 1948, in Loup City, Nebraska, the daughter of Donald and Florene (Hunt) Gould. She grew up on the family farm north of Arcadia and received her education at a local country school and Arcadia Public School.
On October 31, 1965, she married Larry Rickerson in Arcadia, Nebraska. Together, they had two children, Donita and Mike. The couple worked at Becton Dickinson in Broken Bow. Tragically, in 1969, Larry lost his life in an automobile accident on the way home from work.
Dianne later married Dale D. “Duke” Coons on April 20, 1972, in Ord, Nebraska; and built a loving family with Donita, Mike, Jan and their son, Rocky.
Throughout her career, Dianne worked at Becton Dickinson, Arcadia Public School, G & G Manufacturing in Loup City, Rose Lane Home, and as secretary at the Arcadia Lumberyard, which Dale and Dianne owned.
Loving the outdoors, Dianne spent much time caring for her yard and flowers. She supported her kids and grandkids activities and enjoyed watching sports, especially golf, reading, playing cards, visiting on the phone and had a vast collection of Americana Decor. She cherished her family and was known as Grandma Di to her loving grandchildren. All who knew Dianne will remember her for her love of Cherry Pepsi in the Kirby Trucking mug and her famous fried chicken and pheasant.
Survivors include her children, Donita and Al Hagemeier of Burwell, Mike Rickerson and Carol VanSlyke of Arcadia, Rocky and Jana Coons of Milburn and Jan Coons of Onalaska, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; an expectant great grandchild; and sister-in-law, Kay Gould of Arcadia.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Larry and Dale; and a brother, Darrell Gould.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Ord Memorial Chapel in Ord, Nebraska. Trisha Redding will officiate. Private Inurnment will be in the Arcadia Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Family’s Choice. Ord Memorial Chapel is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at ordmemorialchapel.com
