Diana Rae McCann

CELEBRANT
Fr. Joe Forcelle
LECTOR
Clark Kelley
Dennis Duncan
EULOGY
Sonya Yager
MUSIC
Organist ~ Marcene Kniffen
Special Music ~ St. Leo Choir
Soloist ~ Audra Fullerton
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
All of Diana’s many Co-workers whom she worked alongside throughout the years.
ACTIVE CASKETBEARERS
Dvonna Kienow
Rachel Miller
Carolyn Schantz
Tom Clausen
Wayne Jelsma
Mark Rowen
Diana Rae McCann was born on her mother’s birthday, Tuesday, November 16, 1948 to Ralph H. and Rosina A. (Rowen) Yager in Huron, South Dakota. She grew up on a farm west of Wessington, where she attended grade school. She graduated Miller High School in 1967 and went on to double-major at South Dakota State University. While attending SDSU, Diana played basketball, softball, and field hockey as well as serving as the SDSU Jackrabbit Mascot. She was a member of the Lothurp Electric Softball Team of Huron when they won the State Ladies Fastpitch Softball Tournament and runner-up in the College World Series in 1971. In 1972, Diana graduated with a B.A. in Math Education and a B.A. in Physical Education. She later went on to earn a Masters in Math Education. On June 7, 1974 at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall, Diana was united in marriage to Gregory Charles McCann and two children were born to this union: Grant and Holly. Together, Greg and Diana enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling. Throughout the years, they traveled to California, Washington DC, Ireland, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, and Alaska for a special fishing trip to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
She was a dedicated and passionate math teacher, coach, and 4-H Leader. For over 35 years, she taught math and coached many sports teams in the Bon Homme School District. Diana actively supported all school activities throughout the years, even initiating the first female basketball program and team in Bon Homme and coaching the Girls’ Track Team who won the State championship. Her enthusiasm and abilities were acknowledged with many awards, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics. Not only was she committed to local learning, but also served on the State and National Board of Math and Science.
In 2009, Diana retired, but never slowed down. Together, she and Greg built and managed the Cogan House and Cogan House RV Park. She was a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Tyndall, Tabor, Springfield, and Yankton as well as a part of Discover BH. She was an avid gardener and put lots of love in growing her beautiful flowers. Diana always loved sports, if she wasn’t playing or coaching, she was cheering on her favorite teams, such as the Notre Dame and Vikings football teams and the Twins Baseball team.
Diana died due to a sudden illness on Friday, September 5, 2014 at Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls having attained the age of 65 years, 9 months, and 20 days.
She will be remembered and missed by her husband, Greg McCann of rural Tabor; two children; mother-in-law; two sisters; one brother; three sisters-in-law; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Rosina Yager, and father-in-law, Gordon McCann.