Funeral Services for Diane M. Quintanilla, of Albert Lea, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, which would have been her 64th birthday.  Services will be at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Kurt Farrell will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church. Diane died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.

She was born on March 5, 1956, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Jose´ and Ventura (Rivera) Avelar.  She was united in marriage to Raymond Quintanilla on March 21, 1973.  This union was blessed with three children, Matthew, Dana and Nathan.

Diane was one that always put others before herself.  She will be remembered as being very loving, caring, funny, generous and social. She loved attending her children’s events, chit-chatting, shopping, playing bingo and cards.  She also had many domestic talents, which included gardening and being an amazing cook. A true romantic at heart, nothing warmed her heart more than a little Mexican dancing or a love song. Her siblings were a big part of her life, and they enjoyed teasing their little “buckwheat” as well as sharing coffee and a chat or a friendly game of cards. Diane loved having her canine friend, Chester, by her side.

Diane will be greatly missed by her family husband,  Raymond, son Matthew, daughter, Dana,  and grandson, Matthew Jr., all of Albert Lea; father, Jose´ (Isabelle) Avelar Sr., of Joplin, Missouri; siblings: Jose´ Avelar Jr. of Albert Lea, Savador (David) Avelar of Minneapolis, Edward (Becky) Avelar of Northwood, David (Tina) Avelar of El Paso, Texas, Mary Ann (Gilbert)  Johnson of Albert Lea, Henry (Bonnie) Avelar of Joplin, Rueben (Carla) Avelar of Northwood, Alfred Avelar of Albert Lea, Yolanda (Rueben) Cardona of Springfield, Missouri, Leticia (Kenny) Robinson of Waseca; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Linda (Dave) Thomas of Floydada, Texas,  Demas (Lucy) Quintanilla, Barwell, Texas,  Rosie (Gene) Solis of New Mexico, Johnny Quintanilla of Floydada,  Connie Beverage of Plainview, Ellen (Jessie) Arijona of Lockney, Texas, Felix Quintanilla of Floydada, Paul (Lolly) Quintanilla of Ennis, Texas, Vicki ( Jim) Palmer of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son Nathan in infancy; her mother, Ventura; brother, Rodolfo; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ignicio and Juana Quintanilla; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Brenda Avelar, Jennifer Quintanilla, Ignacio Quintanilla Jr., Sylvia and Joe Ysusaga, Elaine Quintanilla, Slim Beverage and Rosie Quintanilla,  grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Jose´ Avelar and Mr. & Mrs. Inastacio Rivera and nephew Jose´ Avelar Jr.