Diane Lee Molengraaf, 73, of Volga, SD passed away with family by her side at Brookings Health System on Aug. 2, 2025. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Diane’s life at a visitation on Aug. 7, 2 at Rude’s Funeral Home in Bookings from 5-7 p.m.
Diane Lee Rindels was born on Feb. 4, 1952, daughter of Jerry and Marvel Rindels. She grew up on a farm near Volga, SD and completed her GED through Sioux Valley High School in 1970.
She was united in marriage to John Molengraaf on July 2, 1969, in Volga, SD. A few weeks later they headed to San Diego, California as John began boot camp as a Navy soldier, then to Tennessee, California, Minnesota, Maryland, and Florida over the next several years. It was during these years that they also began their family of two daughters, Lisa and Carey, and a son, Clay.
They returned to Volga, SD, and farmed for several years and started their Sioux Valley Sanitation business, in which Diane managed the billing and paperwork for 20 years. Diane also worked outside the home and spent many years at Hub City in Brookings, SD and retired from the History, Philosophy, and Political Science department at South Dakota State University in 2018.
Some of Diane’s favorite things included teddy bears and Bearfoots figurines, any and everything purple, diet Dr. Pepper, and the many labs they raised over the years — extra special to her were Emily, Millie, and Squirt.
Diane adored her family and was a devoted mother and grandmother. Spending time with her grandchildren brought her great joy and pride, including the four-legged variety.
Diane is survived by her husband, John; and their children, Lisa (Mike) Buschenfeld and their daughter Dani and son Dylan, Carey (Michael) Kilmer and their daughters Cyrena and Trinity, and Clay Molengraaf; her mother, Marvel Rindels; sister Barb (Gary) DeBeer and their daughter Sandy; brother Ron (Wendy) Rindels and daughters Chelsea and Mallory; and many other beloved family members.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Rindels, and her grandparents, Hans and Clara Edison.
