Diane Sue Koetter

Diane Sue Koetter, age 73, of Downs, Kansas passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Diane was born in McCook, Nebraska on August 9, 1950 to parents Donald “Breezy” and Twila (Collins) Frick. Diane and sister, Debra, grew up on the family farm outside of Culbertson, graduating from Culbertson High School in 1968.

Diane married Martin “Smitty” Koetter on December 20, 1968 in McCook. The couple was blessed with two children, Brian and Jolene.

Smitty and Diane have lived in Downs for the last forty years where they owned and operated Downs Super Foods. Diane was an avid Cornhusker Fan and loved her dogs, Ella and Heidi. She was also a painter who enjoyed giving her paintings to people in her community. Together with Smitty, Diane loved to travel. Their trip to China was one of her favorite memories.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents; two brother in laws, Randy Koetter and Kenard Koetter; and two sister in laws, Joan (Don) Schamel and Janice O’Grady.

Those left to celebrate her life include her husband, Smitty Koetter; son, Brian Koetter; and daughter, Jolene (Heath) DeBolt, all of Downs; nephew, Bob (Diane) Harrison of McCook; brother in law, Norman O’Grady of McCook; sister, Debra Deininger of Tucson, Arizona; sister in law, Lisa Koetter of Ellinwood, Kansas; six grandchildren, Cory, Shelby, Drake, Emma, Shala and Lucious; and many extended family members and friends.