Obituary for Diane D. McClintock

Born on April 24, 1934, in Vernon County, Wisconsin, she was the beloved daughter of Benjamin, Sr., and Gudrun Ward. While she spent the last few years in Onalaska, she was formerly a long-time resident of West Salem, Wisconsin.

Diane received Christian Baptism on September 5, 1935, and confirmed her Christian Faith on May 30, 1948. After graduating from Readstown High School in 1952, where she was active on the yearbook staff, library club, glee club, and as the director for the one-act play. Diane attended La Crosse Vocational School. She also fondly recalled the fun of performing in a sextet that advanced to the State competition.

On April 10, 1954, Diane was united in marriage to Russell McClintock Sr., at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in West Salem, Wisconsin. They were happily married for 67 years until his death in 2021. Together, they spent most of their married life in West Salem, where they raised their family. Over the course of her working life, Diane held many positions, including working at a photography studio, and as a switchboard operator, secretary, and pharmacy tech. Her last position before retirement was serving for several years as a lab technician and bookkeeper for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.

Diane was a devoted, long-time member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where she faithfully served on the altar guild, shared communion with homebound congregants, helped with the newsletter mailing crew, and grew in fellowship through Bible studies. She also held long-time memberships in the West Salem Historical Society and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

Diane was a wonderful wife and mother who quietly and consistently put the needs of her family before her own. She was deeply valued by her family and friends, always willing to lend a hand. Known for her talented hands and creative spirit, she was an excellent seamstress, quite proficient at needlepoint and crewel work, and beautifully dabbled in knitting and creating ceramics. She was also an exceptional baker, an avid reader who frequented the library for mystery and romance novels, and a loyal friend who thoroughly enjoyed playing in her bridge club for over 40 years.

She is survived by her children, Melissa (Todd Engelhart) Hall and Russell (Kelly) McClintock Jr.; her son-in-law, Al Czapski; her five cherished grandchildren, Kelly (Dan) Reid, Kyle Czapski, Ryan Hall and Dr. John Zadroga, Dillon (Maddie) McClintock, and Gavin (Rachel) McClintock; and her five precious great-grandchildren, Lillian Reid, Easton, Harrison, and Waylon McClintock, and Marley McClintock. She is further survived by her sister, Andrea (Carold) Fjelsted; her brother-in-law, Harold McClintock; her sisters-in-law, Ruth Ward, Denise Ward, Linda Wangen-Ward, Betty Whitlock, and Marilyn Ranum; as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Gudrun Ward Sr.; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Agnes McClintock; her husband, Russell Sr.; her daughter, Michele Czapski; her brothers, John Ward, Benjamin Ward, and Nelson Ward; her sister, Beverly Parker; her brothers-in-law, Robert McClintock, Warren Whitlock, and Paul Ranum; and her sisters-in-law, Dalores McClintock, Rita McClintock, and Judith Gudie.

The family extends their heartfelt and special thanks to the dedicated staff at Springbrook Assisted Living, Emplify Hospice, and Diane's long-time physician, Dr. Sarah Naik at Emplify Health by Gundersen, for their exceptional and compassionate care. They also share their deep gratitude to Pastors Jonathan and Jean Schmidt for their spiritual guidance and comfort.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on September 4, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Salem. Burial will follow in Neshonoc Cemetery. Family and friends are warmly invited back to the church for refreshments and a time of fellowship immediately following the burial.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service at the church.

The service will be live streamed and may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@techoslc/streams

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, the West Salem Historical Society, or Emplify Hospice.

Online condolences may be offered at this site.