Diane Jean Latimer

Diane Jean Latimer was born on June 27th, 1954 in Springfield, SD, to parents Frank Schotanus, Jr. and Elsie (Mesman) Schotanus. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Yankton, SD with family around her, in the early morning hours of February 11th, 2024. She was 69 years old. 

Diane grew up in Springfield, SD and graduated from Springfield High School in 1972. She attended USD-Springfield where she earned an associate degree of Applied Science in Psychiatric Technology in 1976. She graduated from USD with a bachelor's degree in Social Work, with minors in Sociology and Psychology, in 1979.

Diane married Harlan Latimer on August 19th, 1978 at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, South Dakota. 

She worked at a local bank and as a psychiatric technician at the Human Services Center before joining Yankton Federal Prison Camp as a Case Manager in 1988. 

In 1990, Diane and Harlan had their first and only child Nichole. 

Her career took her and her family to Florida for five years before coming back to Yankton in 2001 and becoming Head of Health Administration at Yankton Federal Prison Camp. She retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2011. 

In semi-retirement, she worked as a receptionist at H&R Block and the Yankton Medical Clinic for a few years. 

Retirement allowed her time for even more crafting, churning out gnomes, a variety of cards, and other projects. She was an avid reader, going through multiple books per week for most of her adult life. She continued to remain known for her rich baked goods to former colleagues and family friends. She also made time to visit her daughter and travel abroad in Europe and around the East Coast. In her later years, she was a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs fan. 

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 44 years Harlan Latimer (who passed away in January 2023). 

She leaves behind her daughter, Nichole Latimer (and fiancé Eryx); sisters Elaine (Darrell) Odens and Beverly (David) Scheetz, and many nieces and nephews. 
 

The family will have a private graveside service at a later date. The family requests no flowers or gifts.