Carolyn Diane Ring, 79, of Minneapolis, Kansas passed away Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Ottawa County Health Center in Minneapolis.

She was born on December 29, 1949, at her grandparents Lloyd and Florence Kern's farm northeast of Greensburg, Kansas to Carl Alvin Rose and Dorothy Darlene Kern - Rose.

Diane was raised in several states while her father Carl traveled the mid-west building grain elevators. She settled in Larned, Kansas in 1961 where she attended Larned High School. She started her career working at the Peoria State Hospital in Peoria, Illinois. She was married to Ralph Ring on September 25, 1970. They made their home in Wilmore, Kansas where Diane worked for many years as a rural mail carrier in Kiowa and Comanche Counties. Many people remember her smiling face and she was always helpful to her postal patrons. Diane and Ralph had a farming and ranching operation in Kiowa County north of Wilmore for many years. They divorced in 1987 yet remained friends for the remainder of Diane's life. Diane enjoyed painting and creating sculptures at "The Parsonage" in Wilmore where she lived until moving back to Larned, Kansas to help care for her mother and father. Diane helped draw and design the 1987 - Wilmore, Kansas - Centennial Commemorative Belt Buckles. The limited edition of 300 buckles sold out, and a second edition of over 500 buckles were then made. She finished her career as a licensed mental health technician (LMHT) at the Larned State Hospital. She enjoyed retirement with the company of her two dogs. In February 2024 Diane had health issues that required long hospital stays and home health care. She moved to Minneapolis, Kansas in September 2024 where she was able to live independently until January 4, 2026, when she was hospitalized.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carl Alvin Rose in 2011; her mother Dorothy Darlene Rose in 2013; her brother William Lloyd Rose in 2022; sister-in-law Gaynell Ann Rose in 2025; and great nephew William Howard Thompson in 2025.

Diane is survived by her sister Betty Darlene Rose of Larned, KS and her brother Carl David Rose (Susan) of Bennington, KS and two nephews Christopher August Rose (Megan) of Bennington, KS and Brian James Rose of Salina, KS and three nieces Lindsey Ann Rose of Larned, KS, Heather Lynn Thompson (Dan) of Hanston, KS and Stacy Marie Rose of Jetmore, KS and two great nephews Wyatt Austin and Cole Matthew and two great nieces Annabeth Morgan and Morgan Odessa, along with numerous other relatives.

Cremation has taken place and per Diane's request there will be no funeral service, but a private family burial at a later date.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Gary Sinise Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 1858, Merrifield, VA 22116.