Diana Sue Arnold

Diana Sue (Carney) Arnold passed away at the age of 69 on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Topeka, KS after her brave fight against bladder cancer. She was at her home, surrounded by the loving family she always put first.
Diana is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Bill Arnold, and their children and grandchildren:

o Daughter - Stephanie (Arnold) Gilfillan and her children - Jacob Gilfillan, Jacquelyn Gilfillan, and Billy Gilfillan

o Daughter - Kim (Arnold) Antisdel and Brad Antisdel and their children – Makayla Antisdel, Taylor Antisdel, and Ames Antisdel

o Son - William Robert Arnold Jr. and his partner Sharon Riley and her children - Angel Riley-Mendiola and Selena Mendiola.

Diana was born January 29, 1954 in Topeka, KS to Paul and Mary Carney (both deceased). All of Diana's siblings survive her, including Steven Carney (Teresa), Sharon Bush (Daniel), John Carney (Jennifer), Darryl Carney (Brenda), and Janet Stevenson (Craig). She attended Washburn Rural High School. On August 16, 1975 she married Bill Arnold at Christ Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS. They honeymooned in St. Louis.

For Diana, raising her three children was of the utmost importance and she chose the stay-at-home mom life for 12 years. She (mostly) delighted in taking all three of her children to every field trip, music lesson, event, and camp in existence. She also found life-long friendships in the family's 22 years on Dawdy Drive, meeting her best friends Jan and Beth, and later on the addition of Karen. As much as she enjoyed life at home, the desire to help provide more for her family (vacations, music lessons, cruises), she decided to return to work outside the home. In 1991, she returned to the workforce as an office manager for insurance, financial, and medical practices until her retirement in 2016.

Along with raising a family, Diana spent much of her time doing what she loved the most: traveling with Bill. From cruises to Alaska to road trips coast to coast in their RV, the Arnolds were always planning their next adventure – together. Diane filled the long hours on the road perfecting her many counted cross-stitch and sewing projects. Over the years, she created countless Halloween costumes, art pieces, and mended buttons and seams for every member of her family. The pinnacle of her creations was a years-long dedication to finishing a cross-stitched representation of the Beatitudes.

Diana's Lutheran faith was a hallmark in her life. She volunteered at Calvary Lutheran Church as Altar Guild, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Board of Education member, and sang alto in the church choir. She gave of her time and her talents to better the community and the church that she loved.

More than anything else, Diana loved her husband and her family. She and Bill enjoyed over 49 long years of laughs and life. They and their children took on challenges and successes together, and through it all, Diana was the glue that held them all together. She was a decorator, a chef, a CFO, a comedian, a healer, and a best friend. She will forever be missed and never forgotten.

Family will receive friends on Monday, July 24, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Parker Price Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Topeka at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the 'Calvary Lutheran Church Endowment fund' or to the 'Calvary Lutheran Future Building Fund' and sent in care of Parker Price Funeral Home.

To share a memory of Diana or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.