Diane Block

Diane J. Block, age 68, of Spooner, WI and Lakeland, FL passed away on February 22, 2011 at Spooner Health System Nursing Home. Diane was born on March 15, 1942 to Norman and Hilda (Frisch) Fronek in Antigo, WI. She was a 1960 graduate from Antigo High School. She attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison and graduated with her BS in nursing in 1964. She continued her education at the University of California receiving her MS in nursing in 1966. Diane devoted her life to nursing and sharing her knowledge by teaching others. She was a nursing instructor at UW Madison from 1966-1970 and was the Lead Instructor of OB at NCTI in Wausau from 1970-1975. Her career included working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Wausau Hospital from 1976-1981; Clinical Nurse Specialist at Mayo-Methodist Hospital, Rochester, MN from 1981-1986; Pediatrics Nurse Manager at Mayo- St. Mary's Hospital from 1986-1994; Director of Women's and Children's Health at Luther-Midelfort in Eau Claire from 1994-1995; and a Senior Nurse Consultant for Cardinal Health, Nationwide from 1995-2009. After over 43 years of dedicated service to the nursing profession, Diane retired in January 2009. Diane married James Block on September 5, 1964 in Antigo, WI. Together they raised two sons. Throughout their life together, they resided in various cities in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The couple built a cabin at Trego Lake in 1990 and then built their lake home at Big McKenzie in 2000. Diane enjoyed many hobbies but among her favorites were baking and fishing. While living in Rochester, she participated in the Olmstead County Fair and entered bread in 11 different categories. She took the only blue ribbon awarded in 10 out of the 11 categories she entered. Diane absolutely loved fishing in both the summer and the winter. She would spend every day in the pontoon fishing if she could. In the winter, Jim would drive her out on the ice with the ATV and drill holes for her, she would spend the next several hours out on the ice fishing by herself. Diane was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Hilda Fronek. She is survived by her husband, Jim of Spooner; sons, Curtis Block of Wykoff, MN and Allan Block of Minneapolis, MN; two grandchildren, Alexander and Rowen of Minneapolis, MN; siblings, David (Karlyn) Fronek of Edina, MN, Thomas (Patricia) Fronek of Wenona, IL, Janice (Merrit) Fronek Schmidt of Gresham, WI and Daniel (Kirsten) Fronek of Woodbury, MN. A visitation will be held on Friday, February 25, 2011 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Scalzo-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Spooner. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 (visit 10:00 - 11:00 AM) at 11:00 AM at Lakeside Community Lutheran Church, County Road H, Webster with Pastor Roger Pittman officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Sue Olson and flutist, Carolyn Pittman. Casketbearers will be Steven Fronek, Will Fronek, Pat Fronek, Andy Fronek, Todd Fronek and Scott Fronek. In lieu of flowers memorials to the family are preferred.