Diane Mikenis, 77 of DeKalb died April 4, 2024 at Northwestern Kishwaukee Hospital in Dekalb, IL.

She was Born August 18, 1946 In Chicago, IL to Willard and Ann Thomas.

She was one special lady with a heart of gold and the loss of her is felt deeply by many, even though she lived a full life. For the past 10 months, she bravely fought through illness. To have been loved by her is to know how it feels to be loved fiercely for all that you are, while also being held to the highest standards by someone who is certain that you can do anything.

She enjoyed many things, she liked going to see live music, she loved going to play bingo with her daughter Donna, she enjoyed spending quality time with her family, her granddaughter Kyria Wolf was her world. She had a love for country music but her favorites were Reba McEntire, Jimmie Allen and Elvis Presley. She collected owls over the years and she enjoyed watching and feeding the hummingbirds from her deck and even fed the squirrels peanuts. She was fun, outgoing feisty and everyone always loved her everywhere she went. She went to a all girls catholic high school, she was a strong hard working woman with a work ethic like no other and she never gave up. She lived up to this until her last breath.

She was a simple woman who loved to cook, loved her cat Mr. Mittens and she was a outstanding manager for 23 years. She lives on in all of those who have been touched by the love, strength, conviction, wisdom, and beauty of her soul. She has touched the lives of many, she will always be loved and forever missed…

She is survived by her daughter Donna Wolf, son William Mikenis Jr, brother Donny Thomas, sister-in-law Andrea Thomas, granddaughters Kyria Wolf and Leah Mikenis, her cat Mr. Mittens and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ann and Willard Thomas, daughter JoAnn Mikenis and brother Danny Thomas.

Her memorial visitation will be on Saturday, April 13th from 11:00 am-3:00 pm at the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178.  A wake service will begin at 12:30 PM at the funeral home with Fr. William Etheredge officiating.