Diane Faye Kirby

Diane Faye Kirby, née Koland, age 80, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Elderwood of Hinckley.

Born on a warm March day in 1945 in a little house on the prairie of the Red River Valley southwest of Argyle, Minnesota, Diane was welcomed by her parents, Verna (Benson) and Trygve Koland, joining four older siblings. That same day, her aunt Inyce Hendricks gave birth to her first child, Duane, and the cousins celebrated their shared birthdays together for many years.

Diane grew up without electricity, indoor plumbing, or running water, attending one-room schoolhouses where she developed a lifelong love of reading, writing, singing, and playing with her twin dolls, Pete and Repete. Her constant companion was the family dog, Trixie. The Koland family’s deep faith was nurtured at their rural Alma Baptist Church. In 1953 the family moved to Bruno, and four years later to rural Sandstone, Minnesota, settling near the homestead of her Norwegian-immigrant grandparents, Ole and Tomene Koland.

Diane maintained perfect attendance from seventh through twelfth grade at Sandstone Junior and Senior High. She attended St. Paul Bible College before transferring to Bemidji State University, where she earned her BA and M.Ed. degrees. There she met and married David Armant; the couple taught for several years in northern Wisconsin schools. After their marriage ended, Diane suffered a serious closed-head injury that ended her teaching career. She returned to her rustic country home near her parents, drawing strength from their love and support.

She found joy in community theater, woodworking, and decorating the Pine County Museum in Askov with her dear friend Cookie Hansen. Diane wrote children’s books illustrated by her cousin Betty Berglund and taught an annual pioneer school for children in the historic Danforth log cabin where she herself had once been a student. For nearly twenty-five years she was devoted to her three beloved Samoyed dogs, TJ, Yenta, and Loki. In 2010 she married Richard Kirby in Indiana; he passed away in 2022.

A devoted daughter, Diane was especially close to her father, sharing quiet Christmas visits to the “Old Place” and family carol sings. After his death, she began each day by checking on her mother, and was with her in her final moments. Diane traveled to Norway for a Koland family reunion and later hosted Norwegian relatives at a large gathering in Minnesota.

She is survived by her brothers Gary Koland and Ronn (Marilyn McMaster) Koland, her sister Darlene Carlson, and many nephews, nieces, and their growing families. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Trygve and Verna Koland; her older brother David (Peggy) Koland and three of their children; and several other dear family members.