Diane M. Hietpas

Diane (Van Handel) Hietpas, age 72, entered eternal life on April 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.  The world was forever brighter the day she was born, November 9, 1953, to Harold & Jule Van Handel, Appleton, WI.

What a ride this has been!

Diane graduated from Appleton East High School in 1971.  After graduation she attended FVTC Truck Driving School and became one of the first female gravel truck drivers in Wisconsin. She enjoyed several years working at Van Handel Sand & Gravel.  Diane met her loving husband, Bruce Hietpas, while on a ski trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado with the Sly Fox Ski Club.  They married on November 6, 1981, and had two children, Nick & Heidi.  Diane loved being a mom and found great joy in raising her family amongst a menagerie of animals on their farm north of Appleton.  Most recently, she purchased a long-eared Mule, Puxico. She was excited to debut him on the trails this spring. 

Sadly, Nick preceded Diane, in death on September 30, 2003.   Diane channeled some of her immense grief by sponsoring disadvantaged children through the Christian Children’s Fund (CCF).  She (and her sister) travelled to Brazil to meet one of the children that Diane sponsored.  This experience provided Diane with a flicker of hope during a time of deep sadness in her life.    

Diane continued to pursue higher education by obtaining her Associate Degree in Accounting and her Bachelors Degree in Business Management.  In 1983, she began managing the office at Hietpas Welding until she and Bruce retired in 2019.  

Diane was an adventurous spirit and an accomplished horse woman spending much of her time viewing the world on the back of her horse, Sky.  For many years she raised Morgan horses, naming her breeding program, “Windflower Morgans.” Diane was the matriarch of her horse-riding community and the ringleader in planning many out-of-state trail rides.  She made many friends throughout the world from her travels.   Diane enjoyed living life on the edge and rarely turned down an opportunity to try something new.  She was the life of the party and loved to make people laugh.  She had a trademark smile, often accompanied by a headshake.  “The Famous Diane Hietpas” earned several nicknames including Daredevil Diane, Dead Eye Diane and Smelma Pits.  She is a founding member of the S**t House Band and enjoyed gathering up as many instruments as she could find to entertain fellow trail riders.  If you know, or have heard, the “Little Mouse” song, you’ve been touched by Diane. 

Diane was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors.  She won many buck pools, sometimes several in the same season.  She often out harvested the men at camp.  Diane passed along her shooting skills to her daughter, Heidi, which created a fierce competition each season.  She loved being up north at the family cabin on Sawyer Lake forming long-lasting and impactful relationships “up north”.   

Along with her quick wit, mischievousness, and welcoming demeanor, Diane will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and her ability to instigate others into doing things.

Diane is survived by her husband, Bruce Hietpas; her daughter and partner in crime, Heidi Hietpas (Sam Christianson); mother, Jule VanHandel; siblings: Wayne (Bonnie) VanHandel and Dawn Vandenberg (Pedro Martinez); brothers and sisters-in-law: Mary VanHandel, Jeff (Diann) Hietpas, Deb (Gary) Evers, Vicki (Jay) Biersteker, and Sherry Jansen. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews and many close friends.

Diane was met at heaven's gates by her son, Nick Hietpas. She was further preceded in death by her father, Harold VanHandel; brother, Thomas VanHandel; her beloved grandma Bess Van Dinter; and her father and mother-in-law, Eugene and Mary Jane Hietpas.  

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home Freedom Location, N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom. Visitation will then follow from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A celebration will continue starting at 4:00 p.m. at Buzz’s, W2116 County Road S, Freedom. Please bring your smiles and stories.  We know you can think of a couple!  Wear what you are comfortable in, especially your western and hunting attire. 

“Happy Trails to You, Until We Meet Again!”