Diane Hatch Loren, a woman of heart, style and soul, passed away on May 3, 2025, at age 87.

Diane was the mother of four - Jeff (with Tracy Carr and her son Austin Roberts) Zilisch; Lyndsay Mills (children Emily and Logan DeBoer); Eric (Victoria) Zilisch (children Brittany Minikel, Joseph, Summer and Joshua); Lauren Bishop (children Alexa and Jonathan). She was sister to Sue (Richard) Bonzelet and Mary (Mark) Robillard, aunt to many nieces and nephews, and a treasured friend to many.

Diane attended Appleton High School and grew up with her sisters amongst the hustle and bustle of their parents’ greenhouse business - nurturing her love for flowers and gardening.  Working as a telephone operator in Appleton and determined to do something different, she enrolled in the Patricia Stevens Modeling and Finishing School in Milwaukee. Taking the train back and forth to attend classes, she followed the advice of an instructor and entered a beauty competition which led to her being crowned Miss Milwaukee. Diane loved doing appearances for movie openings and modeling for numerous iconic brands, including Harley-Davidson.

Despite a promising modeling career, she chose to follow another dream - to start a family. She married in 1960 and within five short years, she had four children. Soon after, divorce had her raising them by herself. “I’ve got four kids under five and three in diapers” - she would say.

As the kids grew, Diane loved entertaining and creating experiences for people to enjoy, not missing any detail - whether it was an amazing backyard jazz jam, showcasing the talents of numerous jazz artists who had never played together yet didn't miss a beat;  a Halloween party featuring numerous animatronics and all the best decorations; or a murder mystery with everyone dressed for their part with props all around.

Diane’s love blossomed anew when she became a jazz and blues DJ on WYMS in Milwaukee. She fell in love with the authentic sounds of jazz and blues music, but her love deepened with every relationship that was cultivated, with the artists and her listeners - something she never took for granted. She would meticulously research the materials and songs for every show. She would then gracefully balance her, sultry voice, commentary with the songs that she played.

One listener, now an accomplished keyboardist, said to her, “I remember the car I was driving, the turn I was making and the song that you were playing on the radio and it is because of you, that I decided to make music my life” as he gave Diane a big hug. Diane enjoyed introducing artists at the venue before they played. Jazz cruises were also a highlight for her.

After WYMS was sold and the format changed, Diane began a totally new chapter. At age 65 she became a CNA and did home health care until she was 85. Care, compassion and more stories were shared while she worked to keep “older people” independent in their homes.

Whether with a stranger at the grocery store, teller at the bank or a passenger on a jazz cruise, she loved to open her heart to people, and they in turn, opened their hearts to her.

Diane was grateful for being healthy throughout most of her life, despite her health challenges toward the end. Diane will be missed yet we are glad to celebrate her “heavenly chapter” now just beginning - one that is surely filled with more great jazz!

Memorials in Diane’s name can be made to the Jazz Scholarship Fund - Jazz Unlimited of Greater Milwaukee. https://jazzunlimitedmke.org

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 3, at NOON followed by a memorial service at 2 PM at Schmidt & Bartlett Funeral Home in Mukwonago (930 Main St). A jazz celebration will be held at 7-9PM (June 3rd) at Alioto’s, 3041 N Mayfair Rd, Wauwatosa featuring Diane Loren’s good friend, Jeff LaBarge and Swing Explosion with Pete Sorce.