Joan Holly Diedrich, affectionately known as "Joni", beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, in Wauneta, Nebraska. Born December 3, 1939, in San Francisco, California, to Martin and Verne (Cunningham) Cordano, Joni's life was marked by kindness, resilience, and a spirit that inspired all who knew her.

Joni grew up in northern California and later graduated from Santa Rosa high school.  Shortly after, she moved to Alaska where she started her family and raised her two children.  As she put it, she endured Alaska until she could no longer take it.  Joni moved to Champion Nebraska and later relocated to Wauneta, until she passed. 

While living in chase county, Joni worked in various aspects of food service until she later retired.  Youthful at heart, even until the end, Joni loved being around people.  When possible, she would work alongside young people and felt it kept her young at heart.  When she wasn't at work, she enjoyed cooking for family and friends, gardening, dirty jokes and tasteful raunchy humor and she would even partake in the occasional 5:00 o'clock libation.  She loved to dance and was the life of the party. 

Joni is survived by her loving children: her daughter Toni (Steve McComb) Diedrich, her son Rich (Terry) Diedrich; her grandchildren, Ashley, Richie, Jonathan, and Tierney; siblings, Marty (Annette) and Carmen (Jim).

Joni was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Daryl and Bill, her sister, Judy, and her dear friend Marvin Hamilton. 

A funeral service to honor Joan's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. (MT) on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Wauneta Methodist Church, 162 W. Wichita Street, Wauneta with retired Reverend Janie Freeman officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta.  

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Wauneta senior center exercise program.