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Remembering Diane

Nearly 100 people lined the hallways of Essentia Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota on Sunday, March 19th, 2017. Diane Ihrke experienced health complications during the night and was transported to an intensive care unit. Over the proceeding 96 hours, friends from far and wide walked into Diane’s hospital room to hold her hand, sing praise songs, and say tear-filled goodbyes. Diane breathed her last in the company of friends and family on March 21, 2017.

Diane was a Hillcrest cheerleader who never wore the uniform. During her days in Bible School she nursed football players back to health and mentored high school students to see that God has a sense of humor, and desperately cares for their needs. 

Later in life Diane adopted two boys, Sam and Zeke. From the time the boys were brought home they were surrounded by Hillcrest students. Diane would have the athletes over for bread and jam, watching Sam and Zeke play nerf basketball and wrestle with the Comets.

As the boys grew, Diane took other positions in the community, moving into a house that was often filled with Hillcrest students seeking fresh bread and jam. Diane would later find time to mentor Hillcrest girls, often hosting baking parties as she used food to break the ice and drive students to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Diane led Hillcrest’s baking club during her last year, winning first prize with her team in the first annual Hillcrest dessert competition. She baked bread periodically for Sunday meals at the dorm, drawing boys and girls into the kitchen to laugh and learn as bread dough was kneaded, rolled, and baked around friendship. 

When Diane passed away Sam and Zeke transitioned to the home of Kate and Josh Haus. Kate worked in the dormitory with Diane in 2005. Kate and Josh have three kids of their own, all in grade school. Through some quick remodel projects while Sam was on choir tour, Kate and Josh set up a bedroom for the boys in their home, working through the legal processes of their adoption. 

The Bread and Jam Dash is a fundraiser inspired by the memory of Diane Ihrke. Diane was a proud Hillcrest parent and supporter. Her sacrifices that enabled her sons, Sam and Zeke, to attend Hillcrest, inspired them to raise funds for other families to attend Hillcrest. Diane found Hillcrest to be a place of transformation for high school students. She created a warm and loving home where many students enjoyed fresh baked bread and strawberry freezer jam while receiving mentorship. Her legacy continues even after her passing in March of 2017.