Diane K. Cottingham, age 45 of Underwood, ND died Saturday, March 24, 2007 near Max, ND.

Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Wednesday, March 28, 2007;
Augustana Lutheran Church - Underwood, ND;
Rev. Dan Maurer, Officiating;
Interment: Underwood Cemetery;
Visitation: 6:00 PM -9:00 PM Tuesday at Augustana Lutheran Church;
Wednesday, 1 hour prior to time of service at the church.

Diane was born July 7, 1961 at Minot, ND, the third of five children born to Curtis & Wilma (Schenfisch) Wagner. She lived on the family farm 8 miles east of Max, ND and as a child quickly received a reputation for her "gift of gab" Diane was always the one to cheer up others and keep everyone moving along. She attended school in Max and was active in sports, especially basketball. Diane graduated from Max High School in 1979. On August 11, 1979, she married Dean R. Cottingham in Max, ND. They made their home in Underwood, ND where they raised two daughters, Jessica & Amanda. Diane's daughters were brought up in an inseparable, loving atmosphere and all conversations ended in the words "I love you". Diane's love for sports played a big part in her family life. Her inherited competitive nature and work ethic was passed down to her daughters. In February 1990, Diane fearlessly opened Cottingham Insurance Agency in Underwood. In 1994, the agency branched to Washburn, ND and then to Bismarck, ND in 2000. Jessica and Amanda returned home to join their mom in the insurance business and will continue to carry on her legacy. Diane was known for her strength and compassion. She encompassed the philosophy of placing other people ahead of herself. She could not say no to anyone and she lived to make the lives of others better, especially her family members. Diane was a strong believer in the "Pay it Forward" concept, for everything she was given, she passed it on ten fold. She based many of her life decisions on that concept. Diane had a passion for her community and desperately wanted it to thrive. She served as President of the Underwood Area Economic Development Corporation and Vice-President of the McLean County Growth Coalition. She was actively involved with the Underwood Civic Club, the Underwood Commercial Properties Inc., the North Dakota Professional Insurance Agents, and Augustana Lutheran Church. She made many special friends through her professional organizations and volunteer efforts. Diane was the person everyone depended on whether at home or at work. She had a tremendous love for all of her employees and truly considered them part of her extended family. Diane loved to travel and was able to explore the world with her favorite travel companions, her daughters and her husband Dean (when she could convince him to go). She was very proud of the fact that she never lived outside of McLean County, North Dakota, and swore she never would. She preferred learning about other people rather than talking about herself. Diane learned to cook and bake at a very young age. She was taught by her mother that a good cook could bring a family together. Diane cherished the Christmas baking days with her nieces and was known to go slightly overboard with the amount she baked. Diane and Dean purchased her family's farm near Max, ND in 1999. They spent many days working on the farm together, where Diane grew attached to many of her cows. She was known for her wild four-wheeling and her excellent Bobcat skills. One of Diane's many passions included gardening. She loved flowers and enjoyed the annual Mothers' Day shopping trip to purchase starter plants and flowers. Diane will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her husband, Dean Cottingham of Underwood, ND; two daughters, Jessica Cottingham of Bismarck, ND, & Amanda Cottingham (fiancé Wade Haseleu) of Underwood, ND;
3 brothers, Steve (Natalie) Wagner of Roscoe, IL, Dave (Deb) Wagner of Milnor, ND, Ron (Steph) Wagner of West Fargo, ND; 1 sister, Lynae (Pat) Hudson of Minot, ND; father, Curtis Wagner and special friend Jonelle Sampson of Bismarck, ND; grandmother, Clara Wagner of Bismarck, ND; many very special nieces and nephews; her office staff who she considered extended family members, Nancy Fischer, Debra Hammes, Wade Haseleu, Tonja Iverson, DeAnna Gratz, Colette Ronderos, Paul Sigurdson, Karen Boehm, Jan Larson, Kathy Wachendorf, Jodi Leidholm, & Don Huck.

Diane was preceded in death by her mother (Wilma Wagner), grandfathers (Deofil Wagner & Herman Schenfisch), grandmother (Olga Schenfisch), & numerous aunts, uncles, and special friends.