Funeral services for Diane Sharping, 63, of Chamberlain, SD will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain.   Burial will be at a later date.  Visitation will begin Monday at 5:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m., scripture service at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.

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Diane Kay Sharping was born August 17, 1960 in Mitchell, SD, to Gene and Betty (Ries) Mathis. Diane was often referred to as "Annie" by her siblings. She was the fourth born of nine to the Mathis crew, Pat, Calvin, Pam, Julie, Mary, Karen, Wayne, and Brad. Diane grew up on a farm northwest of Mitchell, SD. In 1977, the Mathis Family moved to Kimball, SD preceding Diane's senior year. This would be where she wed and had 4 children, Blaine, Lindsey, Heidi, and Megan on the farm northeast of Pukwana, SD.

Diane managed Oasis Inn for 32 Years. She juggled everything as the manager to housekeeper to lawn care, and even sometimes maintenance. The Oasis Inn is where her children were taught the correct way to clean in a timely fashion…and she checked!  She had a few different jobs after she left the Oasis Inn. Her most recent adventure was managing the Al's Oasis Gift Shop.  She always enjoyed the people, which led her to many friends along the way.

Through the years raising her 4 children, she was busy attending many gymnastics meets, track meets, rodeos, wrestling tournaments, football games, softball games, cheerleading, and basketball games. On road trips or heading home, if we were hungry and almost to our destination, Diane's famous words were "have a drink of water or a piece of gum" to hold us over until we got there.

Diane's family and friends are truly what she enjoyed the most. She enjoyed going to all the grandkids events. She was blessed with 11 grandkids keeping her busy at basketball games, wrestling, gymnastics, baseball, football, concerts, and rodeos. She attended as many events as possible.  There have been many friends she has acquired over the years.  She enjoyed getting together for daiquiris with the girls and road trips.

In her free time, you could catch her tending to her yard. Spring in bloom was her favorite time of year and the smell of a fresh cut grass…except for the snakes. She really, really disliked snakes! Her love of sunflowers is well-known among friends and family. Come Fall she would bake everything pumpkin!

Even in her last moments, she kept her humor and reminded her children to behave and how much she loved them… It is never goodbye; it is until we meet again.

It is raining and the sun is coming.

Diane passed away on May 15, 2024 at Monument Health in Sturgis, SD.

Lovely remembered by her children: Son: Blaine (Jess) Sharping and their 2 children Agustin and Tessa. Daughters: Lindsey (Trampus) Thompson and their 4 children Trinity, Truett, Truston, and Kassidy; Heidi (Casey) Raftevold and their 2 children Jayde and Riley; and Megan (Wes) Hickey and their 2 children Rory and Rudy. Siblings Pat (Dean) Miller, Calvin Mathis, Pam (Greg) Petersen, Julie (Gerry) Picek, Mary (Kent) Hunter, Karen (Craig) Nedved, Wayne (Trudy) Mathis, and Brad (Terena) Mathis. Along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding her in death Gene and Betty Mathis (parents), Holly Petersen (niece) and Saylor May Raftevold (granddaughter)