Dian Shirley Page

Long-time Women’s editor, reporter and columnist for the Green Bay Press Gazette wrote the final column of her lifestory on Friday, August 14, 2020. Dian Shirley Page (Slye) passed away peacefully in the morning (her favorite time of day) after a year of failing health.
As a Lifestyle writer covering the extended Green Bay area, she always seemed to be in the know with regard to happenings around town--and gladly shared with the community. Dian wrote thousands of stories about local goings-on and the people involved. She talked to anyone (that’s often how she found new story ideas), never met a true stranger, found new-fangled recipes to try on her family and met celebrities like Richard Nixon, Ann Landers, Cloris Leachman and Engelbert Humperdinck (her favorite singer).
While she never set out to be a writer, her career found her and it all began at the Mankato Free Press. From there she served as Women’s Editor at the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, and as a reporter/copy editor at the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. She joined the staff at the Press Gazette in 1970 and became Women’s Editor, then reporter and columnist. After retiring in 1998, she continued as P-G columnist and correspondent until 2012.
Dian was born March 19, 1935 to Aloysius John and Nona Ione (Meyer) Reichel, their only child, in Mankato, MN. She graduated from Mankato High School and attended Mankato State Teachers College. She met David M. Page (her future husband) while working at the Tompson Drug Store soda fountain--at the time, she was engaged to another man! Dave swept her off her feet and they were soon married on August 20, 1955 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato. David preceded her in death in 2001. During their 46 years of wedded bliss they resided in Eau Claire, WI, Steilacoom, WA, Bowling Green, OH, and Oshkosh, WI before moving to Green Bay in 1970.
Dian considered her children, Mitchell Lee Page and Dana Michelle Page Quinlan, her greatest achievements. When faced with a dollar left in their pocket, Dian and Dave chose not to buy a loaf of bread. Instead they chose to take their young kids to the carnival, just for the fun of it. When Dian found out she would become a grandmother, she went searching for her new moniker—no ordinary “Grandma” for her! She finally settled on “Gramee,” which was unusual at the time, even the spelling. Dian made sure distance didn’t keep her apart from her grandchildren, she’d travel wherever they were living in the world. She dearly loved her darling grandchildren, “What joy they brought to my life. Watching them grow up was such fun.”
Later on, Dian started to explore the world. Highlights were visits to Italy, Israel, Croatia, Australia, Singapore, China, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Ireland, South Africa, and South America. Yet the USA offered so much to see and learn about—it was all fascinating to her. Tap dancing in her 50’s brought her back to a childhood love. Reading, needleworking, cooking and watching classic movies (which she would view repeatedly) were cherished activities.
And, oh, how Dian loved her many, many friends--wherever she lived, she’d make a connection with people who became close, lifelong friends and she was diligent about keeping in touch with them. Dian had a hand in keeping Hallmark afloat with the number of cards she sent through the years. She loved to host parties for family and friends. A self-imposed requirement for hosting any bridge group, church bunch, holiday, or friendship meal was a perfectly coordinated tablescape.
Dian was a long-time member of Ascension Lutheran Church, participating in the choir, as a communion assistant, and as a lector. She had a “simple” faith (her words) and it carried her through life’s many crises. In her later years, the Sunday routine was early church followed by sharing a meal and news with the Breakfast Bunch (you know who you are) at a local diner.
Six years after losing her first husband, Dian was introduced to Jerry Slye through mutual friends. Over many cups of Starbucks coffee they became close. Jerry made her laugh with his quick wit and storytelling, and it was soon obvious that he was a special blessing in her life. They shared a deep love and always felt being together was indeed a special gift from God. They married on September 26, 2009 at Heritage Hill Park.
Many organizations benefitted from Dian’s involvement. She served as: Historian for the Green Bay-De Pere Antiquarian Society; member of P.E.O. Chapter N; member of the board of the Brown County Historical Society; member of St. Vincent Hospital Auxiliary and hospital volunteer; Dance Company board member; volunteer at Heritage Hill State Park, charter member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary, and a member of Friends of Green Bay Symphony.
Family who will forever miss her are her husband Jerry Slye; son Dr. Mitchell (Dr. Linda) Page of Edina, MN; daughter Dana M. Quinlan (Patrick) of Houston, TX; grandchildren Haley, Rachel, and Zachary Quinlan; brother- and sisters-in law Patricia Plunkett, Minneapolis, MN; Gene and Dorothy Hake, Lomira, WI; and Sara Watts, Elm Grove, WI. Also the Slye family, Louis and Julie Smollar, Alyssa and Jared; Gregg and Lisa Belonger, Christy (Nate) Pfieffer, Nick and Ryan; Dave and Sheree Todt, Shane and Jason; Andrea Slye, Carissa and Cassandra; and sister-in-law Marlene (Jerry) Halron, all of Green Bay.
Dian was preceded in death by her parents; David’s parents Jennings and Mattie Page; Page in-laws Tom and Beverly Page, Joseph Plunkett, Harvey Watts, Mary and Gerald Weber; Slye in-laws Doris and John Hanlon; and stepson Randy Slye.
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the family held a small private prayer service at graveside on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 with Pastor Lori Swenson officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 25, 2021 at Ascension Lutheran Church at 10:30am. There will be no formal visitaiton prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ascension Lutheran Church, The Salvation Army, and Heritage Hill State Park.
“With age one appreciates blessings of home, family, friends, and all of God’s creations. May you always cherish these blessings. May your lives be filled with happiness. Take time to smell the roses.”—Dian