Obituary
Dianne Bess
Dianne Bess, 79 of Genoa passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, June 11, 2020.
She was born in La Crosse on July 30, 1940, to Roy New and Hattie Walters. She lived with her mom until the age of twelve when her mother died. The next few years of her life she spent between La Crosse, WI and West Milton, OH. She returned to La Crosse and graduated from Central High school in 1958. She was united in marriage on Aug. 12, 1960 to Rodney Bess.
They had two daughters shortly after. While working full-time as a bookkeeper, she attended Western Technical College and Viterbo University and received her bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She worked at various businesses in the area. After retirement, she was a frequent volunteer for the Red Hat Society, RSVP, and the La Crosse Historical Society. She was an avid collector of penguins and loved knitting and crocheting. She also enjoyed spending time with family and having breakfast every Wednesday morning with her girlfriends from the Central Class of 1958.
Dianne is survived by her husband, Rodney; and their two daughters, Sharon (Charles) Clemence of La Crosse and Lori (Don) Ayres of Toledo, OH. She is further survived by two grandchildren, Jeremy Gonyo (Heather Struver) and Charlotte Gonyo (Tyler Byars).
She was preceded in death by her mother, Hattie; her father, Roy; her former son-in-law Jon Gonyo and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Per Dianne’s wishes and COVID19, cremation has taken place and there will be no service. Memorials can be established to the Coulee Region Humane Society, Driftless Humane Society and New Horizons Shelter.
Dianne was a great volunteer whom I had the pleasure of meeting and working with through my job at New Horizons Shelter & Outreach Centers. I will miss our conversations while putting mailings together for our organization. She had a very big heart and such a sweet smile. I’m so sorry for your loss.