Diane Elaine Ringstad (Pappas) Obituary (1953

Diane Elaine Ringstad (Pappas), 69, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, June 16th at the UW Medical center after a 2 year battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Diane was born on December 23, 1953 in Bremerton, Washington. In 1972, she graduated from East High. She loved home economics and art. After high school she continued her education, taking classes at Olympic College, Bremerton. She worked as an aide at the Holly Ridge Center, first with developmentally disabled children and then young adults. She married Tom Ringstad in 1975. They raised 3 children, Amalie Stabenow (RIngstad), Gretchen Boike (RIngstad) and Andrew Ringstad. She felt blessed to be a homemaker for many years while her children were young. Diane returned to work as a teacher's aide at Silverwood School in 1991. She was known as Miss DEAR Diane (Drop Everything And Read) to her students and their families. She finished her career at The Farm preschool. Diane was known for her love of people. She loved working with and for people that needed her. She enjoyed entertaining in her home and spending time with friends and family. Cooking was her love language and she was always trying new recipes. She also enjoyed crafting. She spent many years helping her mother (Norma Pappas) as she got older. When the time came, Diane welcomed her mother into her home where she lovingly cared for her daily. She was beside her mother's bed caring for her as she passed from this life. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Norma Pappas, sister Randy Joyce (Pappas) and Daughter Amalie Stabenow (RIngstad). She is survived by her husband of 48 years Tom Ringstad, her children Gretchen (Kenji Boike) and Andy Ringstad, siblings James Jr and Michael Pappas, 5 grandchildren Adalyn, Dyllan, Kiley, Micah and Caleb. She was a beautiful, kind and loving wife, mother and friend. She will be forever in our hearts. A memorial and celebration of life is scheduled for Friday, September 8th at the Kitsap Golf and Country Club at 1pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choosing. Diane always supported Autism and animal rescue foundations.