Diana Lee Duchscherer

Diana Lee Duchscherer, age 89, passed away peacefully the evening of July 11 th , 2025 at her home in Springfield, Missouri.

She was born July 12 th , 1935 to Otis and Thelma Tedrick. Diana attended Springfield Senior High School, class of 1953, (before it was renamed Central High School in 1956), and then graduated from Southwest Missouri State Teacher’s College, (which would eventually become MSU), in 1958 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Diana was married to Eugene Duchscherer in 1960. Eugene (Gene) was in management at Woolworths at the time. They had 4 children. Kevin, Mark, Kathy and Paul. They lived in Mount Vernon, Ohio for those early years before eventually moving back to Springfield, Missouri in the early 70’s.

Once back in Springfield, Gene worked retail management for a short time before he tired of this and he and Diana started Pin Oak Nursery and Country Lane Plant Shop. Diana managed the flower shop with several greenhouses, while Gene ran the nursery and landscaping operation. Her father Otis built many of the greenhouses, and the kids helped raise and propagate plants for sale, and water the trees and shrubs. Her Mother Thelma, helped run the plant shop when Diana had to run errands or attend a school function. The boys worked for their dad during the summers landscaping.

Gene and Diana divorced around 1984. Diana then went to work for South National Church of Christ as the assistant to the Youth Minister, then as church secretary. Diana happily spent the majority of her working years at South National, and at the new church building on East Sunshine before retiring around 2008.

Diana was an amazing artist and accomplished painter. Kevin remembers those early years sitting with his mom while she painted upstairs in the Mount Vernon house while listening to classical music on the record player. When the kids were a little older, Diana returned to her love for gardening. Her amazing yard, pond and greenhouse were showcased for many years on the Springfield Garden Tour. After her retirement, Diana used to cook lunches for the students at the Christian Student Center across the street from the old church building on National, and her lunches were beloved by all, including the SMS Lady Bears basketball team and the Drury Panthers basketball teams and coaches. She was also an avid Chiefs football fan and didn’t miss a game, which she loved to watch with her kids when she could. Her home was the central hub of all of our lives, and countless holidays were celebrated there. We always knew where to go when things got rough or when we wanted to celebrate something. She will be forever missed by all who knew her.

Diana was preceded in death by Gene, her parents, and sister Gail Walsh.

She is survived by her four children, Kevin Duchscherer, Mark Duchscherer, Kathy Johnson, Paul Duchscherer; 6 grandchildren, Cynthia Johnson, Victor, Audrey, Gavin, Tyler, and Landon Duchscherer.

Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Wednesday, July 23 rd at Herman H Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E Walnut St. Springfield, Missouri, 65806.

The funeral service will be held the following morning at 10am, July 24th in the Herman H Lohmeyer Funeral Home Chapel, 500 E Walnut St. Springfield, Missouri, with Dr. Buddy Barwick officiating.

The graveside service following the funeral will be for immediate family members only.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at

www.hhlohmeyer.com.