Diane 'Ray' Wallace, 78

With heavy hearts, we share that Diane ‘Ray’ Wallace, age 78, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene. She was surrounded by family and leaves behind a love that will continue to shape our lives.

Born on May 19, 1947, in Longmont, Colo., to Irene ‘Betz’ and William Ray. She was raised and graduated from Lafayette High School and married her first husband in 1965.

After relocating to Washington in 1969, she built a life centered on family. She poured her energy into her career in the trucking industry until she retired in 2009. At that time, she relocated to Post Falls, Idaho, to care for her parents. This is where she met and married her third husband, Lee Wallace, on May 6, 2011. She took special joy in gardening, her dogs and the Mariners. Her laugh, recipes, stories and traditions became part of the fabric of our family. To those who knew her best, she was mom, grandma, sister and friend first.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Lee Wallace; her sister and brother-in-law, Luana and George Toney; her children, Lori McAlester, Cheri Wherley, Angela Williams and Anthony Kirby; her grandchildren, Nicole Wherley, Samantha Koch and Aaron McAlester; and great grandchild, Davion Lewis Lee. She was preceded in death by spouses Robert Ray Crites and Dennis Lee Kirby.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date TBD.

Memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society please at 800-227-2345 or donate.cancer.org in her honor.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of the final arrangements. Please visit Diane’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.