Diane Bradley, 78
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 2 weeks, 3 days AGO
Bradley
Diane Ruth (Billing) Bradley (78) passed away June 30, 2026, at her home in Dalton Gardens, Idaho.
Diane was born in Crookston, Minn., on Dec. 19, 1947, to Rudolf Billing and Ruth (Balstad) Billing. She was the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Fertile-Beltrami High School in 1965.
After high school, she attended Hibbing Technical College and completed training as a Medical Technologist.
In 1967, while working in the laboratory at Bethania Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas, Diane met Army Sgt. Calvin Bradley, who was stationed in Texas. Calvin and Diane married July 7, 1967, in Beltrami, Minn. In 1969, at Thief River Falls, Minn., Diane gave birth to twin daughters, Pamela and Patricia.
In 1973, the family moved to Dalton Gardens, Idaho. In 1974, son Brian was born.
Diane continued to work in the medical field for various doctors’ offices and clinics. She was especially fond of her employment with Dr. Gumprecht in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Diane would work for Newport Hospital for the final years of her career. After retiring from Newport Hospital, she went on to work another six years with her husband Calvin as his personal construction helper. They traveled the northwest as subcontractors doing finish carpenter work until Calvin was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2009.
In 2011, Diane reconnected with a high school friend, Don Feken, and they became partners until her death.
Diane enjoyed baking, gardening and camping. She often helped her children as a “nanny” to their children when needed. This helped develop deep bonds between her and her grandchildren.
Diane was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and volunteered for AARP during tax season.
Diane was preceded in death by her husband Calvin in 2009, her parents, and siblings Orlen, Gene, Sherm, Darrel, Bonnie, and Verla.
Diane is survived by her sister, Sheryl Cariveau, of East Grand Forks, Minn.; companion Don Feken; daughter Pamela Butcher (Joel), Dalton Gardens; grandchildren Aaron, Jacob and Noah; and great-grandchildren Kayden, Calvin and Iris. Daughter Patricia Gardner (Mike), Post Falls, grandchild Colton, great-grandchildren Killian and Kade. Son Brian (Becky), Coeur d’Alene, grandchildren Tristen, Tanner, Tori and Tawnie, and great-grandchild Carson.
Diane will be laid to rest beside Calvin at Fairview Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Beltrami, Minn. The family plans to hold a private memorial service at a later date.