Obituaries

Diane Estelle Steuby Auderer

1952-2015

Diane Estelle Steuby Auderer, 62, of Lacey, passed away on May 28, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Seattle on December 4, 1952 and graduated from Olympia High School in 1971.

Diane met Dennis Auderer on a warm afternoon on August 18, 1980. Diane was speeding as she stated “a little” and Dennis, an Olympia police officer, wrote her “a little citation” in response.  Marriage followed 5 short years later on October 27, 1985. The Auderers made their home in Lacey and together raised five sons and a daughter. Diane’s greatest joy was her family and many friends. She had a special gift with children and often provided childcare in her home. Her kindness, compassion, and gentle spirit endeared her to all who met her. She was greatly loved, not only by her own family, but also by the many children and grandchildren she “adopted” over the years.

Diane also had a love of all creatures great and small, nothing short of legend.  From horses to chipmunks and all critters in between that were trotting or striding along alone and unattended were obviously “lost” and in need of rescue. It was common for her to bring hurt animals home and nurse them back to health.

It will forever be a mystery on how such an enormous heart could fit into such a little frame.

Diane is survived by her husband, Dennis; son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Brandi Monthan of Placitas NM; sons, Mike and Robert Auderer of Olympia WA, Dan Auderer of Seattle WA, and Wayne Williams of Lacey WA; daughter, Angela Auderer of Lacey WA; grandchildren, Maya and Mason Monthan, Lillian Auderer, and Ruby Smith. She is also survived by her father, James Steuby; brothers James, Scott, and Jeff Steuby; sister- and brother-in-law Rene and Jim Richards; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Stella Steuby, and brother-in-law, Miles Auderer.

A private family memorial and interment service will be on June 5. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Diane’s memory may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure at komen.org/donate or PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.