Diane Maurer

Diane Kay Bender Maurer, 69, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at the home of her son.

She was born July 8, 1952, to Edward M. and Kathryn L. Stiegemeyer Bender in Cape Girardeau. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rolla, Missouri.

She graduated from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois, and received her Master's Degree in Education from Southeast Missouri State University

Diane taught in Lutheran schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Kansas City, Missouri; Sedalia, Missouri; St. Charles, Missouri, and St. Peters, Missouri, and was principal at Trinity Lutheran School in Cape Girardeau from 2006-2014. She also taught in public schools in Morehouse, Missouri; Independence, Missouri, and at Southeast Missouri Laboratory School.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include sons, Matthew (Trish) of Argyle, Wisconsin; J. Ryan (Lulu Jiang) of Dallas, Texas; Andrew (Jennifer) of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Madison, Amelia and Isaac of Cape Girardeau; sister, Miriam (Jim) Larson of Knoxville, Tennessee; and many special cousins and friends who helped and prayed her through her cancer journey.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating.

Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. to time of the funeral service Thursday. The funeral service will be streamed on the Trinity Lutheran Church Cape Girardeau Facebook page. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School Foundation. Christian Education was very important to Diane, and she wanted to be sure it is available to all. These memorials may be made online at www.t-lutheran.org/give.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.