BLAND, Diane

BLAND Diane Rae Bland (nee Jensen), passed away on August 18, 2023, at the age of 82, in Lethbridge, Alberta at the Chinook Regional Hospital. She is the beloved wife of Garfield Osborn Bland. Diane was born in Lethbridge at the Galt Hospital on April 18, 1941, to Golden and Lela Jensen (nee Russell). She spent her childhood in Fincastle, Alberta, but completed her education in Taber, AB. She married her high school sweetheart, Garfield on December 20, 1958. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this coming December.
Diane spent most of her married life in Lethbridge, AB. She had three biological children, Cameron Bland (deceased), Kevin (Lorie) Bland, Alyson (Alan) Scoville, and three adopted children, Karin Bland (deceased), Christopher Bland (deceased) and Amanda Bland. She also had a foster-daughter named Line Gagne (Nick Mayfield). Diane leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Diane is survived by her sister Jean (Blair) Williams of Alexandria, ON., and brother Keith Jensen of Lethbridge, AB. She is predeceased by her parents, parents-in-law, Osborn and Elaine Bland (nee Schmidt) and siblings, Susan Jensen and John Jensen. Family was very important to her, and she loved visiting with all her relatives near and far. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Diane enjoyed a busy life, not only raising her family, but Garfield and she were foster parent to over 120 children in their career. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her faith was very important to her.
Christmas was her favourite season/holiday, and she always started decorating early in the Fall. In 1984, she and Garfield purchased the Annandale house and spent many hours working to restore it to its former glory. Over the years they began to decorate it for the Christmas season, and eventually it became known as “The Christmas House”. This is a tradition that her family hopes to keep going in her honour.
Funeral Services will be held at the LDS Lethbridge Stake Center (2410 28th Street South, next to the Enmax Center) on August 23 at 11am with Russel Jensen, First Counselor in the Bishopric of the Coulee Ridge Ward, officiating.
Family and friends may meet with the family in the Relief Society Room from 10:00 -10:45 AM. Interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery, immediately following the service. There will be a viewing on Tuesday evening at Salmon and Sons Funeral Home (433 Stubb Ross Rd, Lethbridge, at the airport turn off) from 7:00 8:00 PM.
To send a condolence, please visit www.salmonandsons.ca