Diane J. Smith, 75, Fargo, passed away on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Diane Jeanette Carlson was born on March 11, 1943 in Fargo to Almer and Lillian Carlson. In 1949 the family moved to a farm at Clifford, ND where Diane attended schools at Edendale #2, Mayville, and C-G High School in Galesburg, ND. She was baptized and confirmed in Perry Lutheran Church, Portland, ND.

Diane attended the Humboldt Airline and Business Institute in Minneapolis. She returned to Fargo and worked at Tri State Beauty Supply, Fargo Nursing Home and the past several years, at Swanson’s Health Products until her retirement. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Eagles Club Auxiliary.

She married William Martel Smith on March 28, 1964 at Sisseton, SD and together, they had a son, Richard. They separated and eventually she shared her life for several years with her soulmate, Elmer Knutson, until his death in 1999.

Diane is survived by her son, Richard (Wendy), Viking, MN; two grandchildren, Cody Smith, Fargo and Kayla Smith, Oklahoma City; two step-grandchildren, Amanda (Josh) Tungseth, Newfolden, MN and Tyler (Marae) Blazejewski, Palmer, Alaska; two step-great-grandchildren, Tyla and Jace Tungseth; two sisters, Karen (Ken) Halldorson, Bismarck, Helen (Dino) Cook, Fargo; two brothers, Gene (Sandy) Carlson, Marysville, WA and Gordon (Eileen) Carlson, Fargo and several nieces and nephews. Also her “adopted” quad grandchildren, Abbie, Katie, Sophie and Zackary Marschke and their mother, Janet, who were all very special to her. She was preceded in death by her parents and one nephew, Dominic Cook.