Jeanette Virginia Diakoff

Jeanette V. Diakoff, age 84, of Oshkosh, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Wednesday December 18, 2013 at Oakwood Manor. Jeanette was born on January 14, 1929, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; the daughter of Harvey and Viola Lyness Thomas. She attended Red School in the town of Nekimi and Oshkosh High School where she graduated in 1946 with high honors. She worked several years in the payroll department at Universal Foundry. She also enjoyed playing the trumpet. She played with polka bands in the area. She was known as the Polka Queen of the Fox River Valley while playing with the Joe Vogt Band. Later on, she played trumpet in the Dodo Ratchman Band.She became involved with politics in the area, starting in 1977 when she became a member of the Algoma Town board. She later became chairman until retiring from the board after serving many years. She was elected to the county board in 1984 and had continued in that position until April 2012.She was an avid golfer in the area and was awarded many honors in local as well as state tournaments. She succeeded in shooting her age or less when she was 78, a goal she always wanted to obtain.She married Glen Brusius in 1954. He preceded her in death in 1967. She then married her husband and golf partner Lt. Col. George Diakoff in 1968 in Monterey, Mexico. He preceded her in death in 1998. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Georgina and Yancy Piepenburg, two sisters Nancy Kind and June Kehl, one brother Harvey Thomas Jr., and many nieces and nephews.She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother Duane Thomas.Funeral services for Jeanette will be held on Sunday December 22, 2013 at 7 p.m. at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes-Westside with Rev. Jakes Voker officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday at the funeral home from 3:30 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Ellenwood Cemetery.A memorial has been established. I would like to thank Tim, Kari, Brooke, Velvet and all the staff at Oakwood Manor for taking care of my Mom and loving her.