Diana Ann Shakoske, 60, died Oct. 26 at home in Wasilla after to a long battle with cancer. 

She was born Nov. 14, 1948 in Connecticut the daughter of Paul and Alta Kelly. 

In 1980, Diana moved to Alaska living in Eagle River, Fairbanks, Salcha and Wasilla. Diana was a longtime employee of TelAlaska. She       enjoyed quilting, reading, card games, listening to music and she was a member of the Valley Quilter Guild.

Diana was first and foremost “the mom.” She was married for 20 years, always loyal and loving. She was dedicated and loved her work at TelAlaska.

They were her other family.

Diana was a devout Christian who believed in the saving grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ. One of her favorite verses was Acts 2:21, “Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Diana will be missed by all who knew her.

Diana is survived by her husband, James R. Shakoske of Wasilla; son, Rod Earnest of Wasilla; son, Ty Earnest of Panama City, Fla..; son, Steve Kelly-Stahlnecker of Fallon, Nev.; son, Jeremiah Kelly of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; son, Timothy Kelly-Stahlnecker of Anchorage; daughter, Lori Larson of Anchorage; son-in-law, Darrick Larson of Anchorage; step-daughter, Angla Edmonds of Virginia Beach, Va.; step-daughter, Teresa Stark of North Highland, Calif.: step-son, James M. Shakoske of Moose Creek; grandson, Cory Earnest; mother, Alta Pecore of Wasilla; step-father James Pecore of Wasilla; sister, Denise Thompson of Wasilla; brother-in-law, J.T. Thompson of Wasilla; sister, Dalene Pinkley of Chugiak; and brother-in-law, James Pinkley of Chugiak.

She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Kelly; brother, David and sister, Dawn.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 2271, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

A memorial will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Mat-Su Evangelical Covenant Church, 5201 E. Mayflower Lane, Wasilla.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.