Diane Jane Buckman, 77, of Belfield, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2026, at CHI St. Alexius Dickinson. Family and friends were by her side in her final days as she received exceptional care from the hospital staff. Diane’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, September 21, 2026, at Ladbury Funeral Service in Dickinson. Inurnment will follow at Belfield Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Diane was born in Dickinson on August 24, 1949 to Sara May (Owen) and William “Bill” Buckman. Her parents and brother, Irvin, welcomed her to the family home in Medora. Bill worked for the railroad. Sister Ruth joined the family the following year. Billy was born in 1959 and tragically drowned in an accident at Patterson Lake in 1963.
In 1953 Bill built the family home. He became a Master Plumber and established Buckman Plumbing and Heating. Diane was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church. Her faith was a strong thread that shaped her values and life. Diane attended Belfield Public School and she graduated from Dickinson State with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Library. She taught at Berg Elementary and then at Cannonball on Standing Rock Reservation. She also supervised Native American women who were studying to be teachers while working at school. Diane earned her master’s degree in Reading at the University of North Dakota while teaching at Cannonball. Her love of teaching and children was a strong thread that ran throughout her life.
She moved to Minneapolis and taught school there. She worked at “Fins and Feathers” and “Birds and Bloom” as a type setter for 10 years. Diane enjoyed this, but when a teaching job became available, she decided to go back to what she really loved, moved to Blaine, and began teaching at Northside Christian School where she found her calling and Christian community for 15 years.
During this time, Diane opened her home to Ruth and her children, Harmony and William, when their house burned. Their bond has stayed strong throughout adulthood.
While Diane lived in Blaine, she went on mission trips to China and Israel. She welcomed opportunities to share her love for Jesus with everyone and liked to share the gospel while telling of her adventures abroad.
In 2004 she moved back to Belfield to help her aging parents. Diane joined the Billings County Historical Society. She was elected secretary and held this position for over 20 years. She was very dedicated to preserving the pioneer history of the area.
During this time Diane wrote and self published two books. The first one Ruby Shoes, reflected on her spiritual journey. Her teaching skills shone in her second book, ABC, My Bunny and Me. She created the photo shoots for both books that demonstrate her creativity.
As a member of the Belfield Senior Center, Diane especially enjoyed the monthly potlucks. Her positive attitude and ready smile touched everyone. Diane’s civic service was evidenced when she became a self-appointed recorder of city council meetings and shared them on Facebook. Diane was also the lead coordinator for the all school reunions for 20 years. Her organizational skills served her well as the record keeper and promoter of the Belfield community.
When Bill died in 2006, Diane became Sara May’s care giver. When Sara May passed away in 2020, Diane became very active at the West River Community Center.
Diane is survived by her brother, Irvin (Glenda); sister, Ruth; niece, Harmony (Jess) McCullough, Duluth, MN; nephews, William (Toni) Robertson, St. Paul, MN, and Jon (Stacy) Jesperson, St. Louis, MO; step-nephews, Chad (Mindy) Butcher, and Shayne Butcher.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Sara May Buckman; brother, Billy; infant sister, Julie; and brother-in-law, Curt Molm.
Memorials are suggested to Badlands Ministries, American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
