Diane Gorkiewicz

Diane Liverance Gorkiewicz, 81, of Charlevoix, passed away on November 22, 2025. She was born on April 6, 1944, in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Wallace and Veda (Deits) Edlund.

When Diane first went to Kindergarten the teacher wanted Diane to put her head down on the desk and rest and Diane said “I am not here to rest I am here to learn” and continued that way ever since!

In 1962, Diane would go on to graduate from Laingsburg MI high school. In 1965 she received a Nursing Certificate from Bronson Methodist Hospital, obtained her Michigan Nursing Registration in the same year. In 1968, she received her Indiana Nursing registration, and nine years later, from Purdue University, she received her Associates in Applied Science, and B.S. in Nursing. Finally, in 1983, also from Purdue University, she received an M.S. in secondary education.

Throughout the duration of her working days, she would go on to be a Director of Nursing and Health Services for American Red Cross in Fort Wayne Indiana, Director of Wellness Program at Parkview Hospital Fort Wayne Indiana, Director of Wellness Program in Cleveland Ohio, Petoskey Pain Management Center, Burns Clinic Medical Center Petoskey MI., Cuyahoga Falls Wellness Center, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Public health Nurse, District Health Department #3, Charlevoix MI., Established Cancer Support Group at Charlevoix Area Hospital, and was a Science Instructor at Northwest Academy, in Charlevoix, MI.

Diane was known for her great sense of humor and wit. She enjoyed everything about nature, including promoting plant life through her green thumb, camping, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing. Diane had an eye for color and was a visual arts person, which was displayed through her fiber arts via quilting and knitting. She was a great traveler, something she enjoyed very much, and loved cooking. She owned the “Rose Cargo” in Charlevoix, which handled recycled goods in the mid 1990’s. Diane was a tremendous person and will be missed by many.

Surviving her in death is her loving husband, Robert Gorkiewicz, five children, Kristin (Josh) Ahren of Auburn, AL, Joe Liverance of Ellettsville, IN, Chelsea Gorkiewicz (David Massie) of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, Liza (Felix) Grabau of Oberursel, Germany, Pete (Miranda) Gorkiewicz of Zug, Switzerland, one brother, Jim Edlund, of Fort Wayne, IN, one sister, Julie (Martin) Mansfield of Fort Wayne, IN, four grandchildren, Geoffrey Goeters, Jovia Grabau, Augustine and Leonora Gorkiewicz.

Preceding her in death are her parents, and daughter Keri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com