Diann R. Muhlbach

Diann Rogene (Harder) Muhlbach, 82, of Shelton, NE died on Friday, January 23, 2026, at CHI Health St. Franics in Grand Island, NE.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church with Pastor Justin Bangert officiating. Burial will follow at 1 pm at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Shelton, NE. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm on Monday, February 2nd at Peace Lutheran Church in the Life Center. Memorials are suggested to the Literacy Council or the First Light Advocacy Center.

Diann Rogene Harder was born on August 17, 1943 at Grand Island, NE the daughter of Ralph Fredrick Henry Harder and Joyce Minnie (Jess) Harder. She grew up on a farm north of Cairo, NE, helping her parents on the farm, preparing meals and caring for her four sisters, starting at very early age. She graduated from Cairo High School in 1960 and in later years served as MC for many of the annual class reunions held at the old Cairo School gym.

Diann attended Kearney State College where she received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees. She taught for two years at District 31 in Hall County as well as in Ravenna from 1966-1973.

She was united in marriage to Richard A. Muhlbach Jr. on June 11, 1966 at Christ Lutheran in Cairo, NE. The couple farmed, attended auctions, donated household goods and furniture, participated in the annual Junk Jaunt and exhibited their 1956 Chevy Belair.

Diann had a full career that included: substitute teaching in Centura, being an instructor and Director of Adult Basic Education at Central Community College, working at Western NE Legal Service, being a clerk of the District Court, serving as the Executive Director of Heartland CASA, starting the Literacy Council and Child Advocacy Center, being appointed by the Governor to serve on the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission for 14 years, and serving on many local and state Non-Profit Organizations. She was also involved with the Association of Child Abuse Prevention and volunteered for what was then called the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Association, and the YWCA Help Line Committee. She spent countless hours tutoring students of all ages in reading, life skills, and prep for the GED. She also provided tutoring for adults in civics for citizenship.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Richard; sisters, Marilyn (Tom) Wilson, LaJean Magnuson, Renee VanWinkle, and Lynnette (Don) Losh; sister-in-law Leonora (Muhlbach) Roth; numerous nieces and nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

Diann was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Joyce (Jess) Harder; brothers, Daryl and Randel Harder; and brothers-in-law, Ruel Magnuson and John VanWinkle; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Agnes Muhlbach and brother-in-law, Fredrick Roth.