Diane Sommerhause Bent was born on Dec. 9, 1953 in San Diego. She moved to Eureka at age three, where she remained for the majority of her life. Diane attended Freshwater Elementary, Winship Middle and Eureka High (Class of ‘72). She looked fondly on her time working at Broken Eggshell, Big Loaf Bakery and Hilfiker Retaining Walls, where she retired in 2020.

Diane spent her life devoted to her family and the friends that she made family. She also loved going on adventures with loved ones and enjoyed traveling around and seeing family across the country and the world. She made her final trip in December 2022 on a cruise around Hawaii with her husband Patrick. She was also an avid member of the Eureka Moose Lodge for the past 20 years. At home, Diane enjoyed gardening and would ensure her oasis was filled with purple flowers. She also enjoyed reading murder mystery novels and watching the tenacious Judge Judy. She was a fan of all things supernatural and keeping her mind open to all possibilities. She was a great cook, and would get excited to try new recipes and have a nice family dinner. Her specialty dishes will be missed; including cabbage rolls, tamale pie, paella, pasta al limon, angel biscuits, ginger pickles, and pancakes (for the grandkids).

Diane is proceeded in death by her parents, Oma and Ralph, siblings Ruth and Jim, and many close friends that were family to her.

Diane is survived by her beloved husband of 31 years, Patrick, siblings Chuck and Ron, and children Chelsea, Courtney and Kylie. Diane loved being “Gam” and survives grandchildren Jerran, Basil “Isaac”, Payton, Mackenzie, Sophia, Gianna, and step-grandchildren Nick and Roman. Diane had a big heart and welcomed friends of the family into her home as if they were her own children, which lists too many to count.

Diane died suddenly on Jan. 13, 2023 in Eureka at the age of 69. She left this world in the company of her husband, Patrick, and ultimately died due to heart failure. A celebration of life will be held at a later date (TBD). At that time, immediate family will break away and spread her ashes at Diane’s chosen location. She found happiness with dragonflies, and may all that miss her find comfort in them.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Diane Bent’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.