Diane L. Zahorik

It is with great heartache and joy that we remember Diane Zahorik, age 80, who died of a rare, inoperable gall bladder cancer on June 23, 2026. She was diagnosed in August of 2025 and as cancer spread to her other organs, Diane handled it like the tough bird she was. She never once complained.

Diane Lynn Holmen was born on New Year’s Day, 1946 to Charles and Norva Holmen in Madison, WI. As the first baby born in Dane County that year, her photograph made the front page of The Cap Times. She moved to Eau Claire in 1952.

She met Dick Zahorik in high school, and they had their first kiss on Diane’s porch on Hoover Avenue. Soon after they became across-the-street neighbors. Their love and companionship were something out of a movie.

If you have to die, best to do it as Diane did: in the arms of the boy she’s loved since she was 18 years old.

Diane and Dick recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They built a full and fun life together. They welcomed children Sandy and Mike, and later grandchildren and great grands. One friend said of them, “You were the model of a great friendship wrapped inside a marriage.”

Diane and Dick lived 51 years at their place on Lincoln Avenue, where they worked side by side to transform their house and yard into stunning spaces. Diane was a gifted botanist with no degree; she had two green hands which created impeccable landscaping.

The Zahorik’s were Third Ward staples; you could see Diane and Dick out for a long walk across town every day. Given the years they exercised, they could have walked to the moon and back. On each trek they picked up litter, a huge amount over the years.

Diane was a giver. For 40 years she delivered Meals on Wheels, often during her lunch break from work, first at Green Door Graphics, then at Woven Hearts Assisted Living and Oakwood Villa. She had a soft spot for older people long before she was one.

Diane and Dick made friends wherever they went, from the Joynt on Water Street to bars in New Zealand and Cuba. They spent 20 winters in Bucerias, Mexico, where they delighted in becoming a part of that community.

Diane was always a good neighbor and a better friend. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. She loved her grandchildren fiercely from the time they were infants until their current 30’s.

She is survived by her best friend and husband Dick, daughter Sandy Smalley and grandchildren Katie Hurst, Anna Smalley (Zach Self), and Tyler Smalley (Karina). Diane was called “Grape Grandma” by great grands Oliver and Ella Hurst. She is also survived by her sister, Christine Elliott and sisters-in-law Pat Meara and Peggy Zahorik.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, Paul and Phyllis Zahorik; her beloved son Mike; her sister Shelley Holmen and her brother-in-law PJ Zahorik.

Join Diane’s family on July 18 from 11 am to 3 pm for an open house at the Brewing Projekt to celebrate her wonderful life.

Want to be more like Diane? Make a donation in her name to Feed My People, 2610 Alpine Road, Eau Claire, 54703.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Eau Claire is serving the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Diane L. Zahorik, please visit our floral store.