Diane Louise Peterson

Diane Louise Peterson of Rubicon, WI, passed away April 28, 2026, in Richfield, WI.

Diane was born March 10, 1949, to Glenn and Louise Peterson. She married Larry I. Karau on December 18, 1970. He passed away on December 14, 1977.

Diane attended Barnes Creek School for five years, then went to Lincoln County Normal School after the one room country school was closed down. She attended Junior High and High School in Merrill. Diane graduated from Merrill High School in 1967.

Diane’s first job was working for the DNR in Fromm’s Fire Tower and also the Rock Falls Tower. Diane worked at Employers Insurance Company in Wausau from 1968 until 1978. In between for three years, she worked at Lincoln County Bank in Merrill. Diane worked with her family business, Park City Motorways, Inc. Diane worked for the International Laborer’s Union of America, known then as Local 1359. It is now known as Local 268.

Diane was a former member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill.

Diane is survived by two nieces, Melissa Ritchie and Angela Vachavake.

Diane was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Karau; parents, Glenn and Louise Peterson; brother, James Peterson; and two sisters, Nancy Lenore Peterson and Lynn Marie Peterson.

A graveside service will be held at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery on May 11, 2026 at 10:00 am.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation of Merrill is assisting the with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com