Diane Lynn Blackburn

Diane L. Blackburn, 63, of St. Paul, NE died on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at CHI Health St. Francis. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Cairo United Methodist Church with Pastor Kalaba Kapundu officiating. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Apfel funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements, online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

She was born on February 8, 1960, at Grand Island, NE to Doyle and Peggy (O’Neill) Brundage. She grew up in Cairo, NE and graduated from Centura High School in 1979. She was united in marriage to Paul Budzinski and from this marriage she was blessed with a daughter and son. Diane worked as a CNA, daycare provider, and served as a foster parent. On August 1, 2018, she was united in marriage to William Blackburn, where they would reside in St. Paul, NE.

Diane loved spending her time with her family, whether it was at the movie theater or playing mini-golf. She was very crafty and enjoyed coloring and scrapbooking. Diane was an avid fan of the Wizard of Oz and liked to collect themed memorabilia from the movie.

She is survived by her husband, William Blackburn; daughter, Jessica (Brent) Levander; step-son, Dylan Blackburn; grandchildren: Tanner Levander, Skyler Levander, Elise Levander, Briella Levander, and August Blackburn; father, Doyle Brundage; uncles: Gordon (Colleen) O’Neill, Ed (Linda) O’Neill; aunt, Sheryl (Ron) Brundage; niece, Kim Wooden and family; and nephew, Jamie Brundage.

Diane is preceded in death by her mother, Peggy Brundage; sister, Kathy Weber; and son Jeffrey Budzinski.