Celebrating the Life of Diane Joy Archie
Visitation Hour 10 - 11 AM (Park Avenue United Methodist Church)
Celebration of Life Service 11 AM (Park Avenue United Methodist Church)
Livestream of service: https://www.youtube.com/live/yRX6cKX1Mrs
Committal Service at 1 PM (Lakewood Cemetery)
Diane Joy Archie (Weinke), 74, of Minneapolis, MN, left this world on July 17, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
Diane was born on August 7, 1950 in South Minneapolis to Herbert and Helen Weinke (Baker). From the very beginning, she lived a life full of love and kindness, always seeing the best in those around her. Diane graduated from Roosevelt High School, home of the Teddies, in South Minneapolis in 1968. She married Joseph Archie in 1971 and in the 1970’s and 1980’s she worked as a secretary for the Brookings Institute in Washington D.C. and the Pillsbury Company in downtown Minneapolis. After having her daughters, Diane decided to change careers and went back to school to study her passion, education.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a degree in elementary education, Diane substitute taught and then worked for the Minneapolis Public School District for almost 30 years. She taught at Sheridan Elementary, Powderhorn Elementary (formerly Wilder), Nellie Stone Johnson and Loring Elementary. She continued her own education as well, receiving a master’s degree in Early Elementary Education from Concordia University before retiring in 2019, leaving behind a long legacy of students, parents and educators whose lives she touched. Diane also worked at Target Field as an usher for the Minnesota Twins and volunteered her time at the Guthrie Theater.
Those who knew Diane will remember her for her generosity, friendship and humor. She believed in always treating others the way she would want to be treated, and this was evident in her personal life and her work as an educator. Diane’s greatest joy was spending time with family, attending her grandchildren's sports and school events, taking her beloved and only son, her dog, Yankee, for walks and, of course, participating in her favorite thing above all, shopping. Whether she was lesson planning or teaching with her colleagues or giving memorable advice and support to her children and grandchildren, Diane’s presence brought warmth and light to those around her.
Diane leaves behind daughters, Le’Shon and Kelly, son in laws, Damien and Derrick, grandchildren: Key’Shon (Jaxon), Jadin, Riley, Derrick, Kerin and Cameron and her beloved dog, Yankee.
Though we will miss Diane dearly, the love and joy she gave us will live on forever in our hearts.