Diane L. (Malaszewski) Rantz

Diane L. Rantz, age 75, of Munising and formerly of Bristol, WI, died Sunday, October 22, 2023 at her home surrounded by loving family and friends.  She was born in Evanston, Illinois on September 18, 1948, the second of four children to the late Edwin and Sophie (Laurich) Malaszewski.  Diane grew up in Illinois but would spend her summers in the U.P. with family at Forest Lake swimming in the basin and playing at the dam.  She graduated from Evanston High School in 1966.  Diane married William D. Rantz on October 12, 1968 and together they raised their two sons in Mundelein and then Grayslake, IL. Diane was a loving wife and mother who supported her family in all they did.  She worked multiple jobs in finance as a bookkeeper.  Diane enjoyed bowling and bowled in leagues.  Diane’s favorite pastime was horses.  She loved riding with the Lake County Mounted Posse and the trails across the U.P. on her many horses she had over the years, but especially on her favorite horse Curley.  Shortly after Bill died, Diane moved to Munising and made the shores of Lake Superior her home, enjoying the beautiful sunsets and watching the deer.  Diane attended Sion Lutheran Church and enjoyed helping in the kitchen on their lunch committee.  In these past couple years Diane found a truly loving partner in Mark Wilson.  They enjoyed countless miles on the side by side through the backwoods, feeding the deer, and sharing their time and stories together.

Diane is survived by her sons – Randy Rantz of Mundelein and Rusty Rantz of Palatine, IL; grandchildren – Everly Rantz and Jackson and Lexi Medeiros; sisters – Bonnie Bartel and Judy Kopp; companion – Mark Wilson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by parents – Edwin Malaszewski and Sophie and Walter Lustyk; husband – Bill Rantz; and brother – James Lustyk.

Visitation will be on Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.  Diane’s funeral will be at Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham, MI on Saturday, November 4, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. at the church.  Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.