Diane Kastama

Diane Marlene Kastama (James), resident of Puyallup, Washington peacefully passed away on October 25, 2018 at Puyallup Brookdale Assisted Living at the age of 84 years. Diane Marlene James was born October 10,1934 in Azusa, California to Lester and Helena James. At the age of 14 her family moved to the greater Medford, Oregon area to establish a dairy farm. Graduating from Crater Lake High School, she pursued a nursing career at Deaconess Nursing School in Spokane, Washington. There, she met her future husband Robert Kastama. Marrying on November 25, 1955 they moved to Bellingham, Washington and started a family. After several more moves around the state, now with three children, they settled in the Puyallup Valley in 1967. Shortly thereafter, she graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Employed as a Registered Nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital for several years, the majority of her working years were with the Puyallup School District as a school nurse until her retirement. A world traveler, Diane was able to make life-long connections wherever she went. Aside from her love of travel, she loved the outdoors: hiking, skiing, and canoeing. An avid reader, she was also fiercely attentive to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Independent, determined, strong-willed, and hardworking, she was a strong participant and advocate in community services that promoted health and family. Diane was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Robert (Bob) Kastama, brother Dwight James, sister Louise Miller, and most recently her brother-in-law Arling (Buck) Miller. She is survived by her children Colleen George (Scott), Steve Kastama(Sheila), Jim Kastama(Barbara), eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service honoring Diane’s life will take place at 11:00 am on April 20,2019 at Veteran’s Park in Puyallup, Washington. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to Friends Of the Riverwalk. http://www.piercecountytrails.org/friends-of-the-riverwalk/