Diana Glenn Svehla

Diana Glenn Svehla, May 6th, 1947 - January 11th, 2026

Born to Virginia A. Glenn (Westergard) and William F. Glenn. Diana was the second of eight children and the first daughter. She attended St. Margaret Mary grade school, and in the eighth grade, was voted the May Crowning Queen. She received an academic scholarship to Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, where in Diana’s senior year she was voted, by the students and faculty, the top Blue Ribbon, symbolizing kindness, leadership and outstanding academics.

Diana graduated with top honors from high school, then transitioned to Duchesne College for two years. Diana then transferred to Loyola University Rome for her junior year, while graduating from Loyola University Chicago, where after her senior year, she retained a position as an assistant in the Department of History.

The highlight of Diana’s professional career was as the administrator of the Physicians Group at Lutheran Medical Center in Omaha. She would later run the medical office for her husband, Dr. Richard Svehla, a renowned surgeon for decades in Omaha.

Diana’s life was characterized by her deep love and her desire to be of help, especially as a caregiver. It started early, after the polio epidemic of the early 1950’s, which struck not just close to home – but in the Glenn home. Diana’s mom, Virginia, and her sister, Lisa, contracted the debilitating disease. Lisa was paralyzed in her leg, while Virginia was in an iron lung for four and a half months because the disease attacked her lungs, as well as her arms and legs. Both recovered but Virginia had limited use of her limbs, so Diana became the surrogate mom for all her siblings but especially her two youngest brothers. Later in life, when her beloved husband Dick suffered a series of strokes, Diana became a caregiver again, giving Dick her heart and her strength during the final years of his life.

Diana is preceded in death by her parents, husband and her brother, Brian Glenn. Diana is survived by her stepdaughter, Dr. Kathy (Dr. Bob) Anderson of Mount Vernon, Maine, along with three grandsons Neil (Kate), Alec (Megan) and Mark (Kate) and eight great grandchildren; sisters, Lisa (Tom) Wurtz, Joyce Glenn, and Pennie Glenn, sister-in-law, all in Omaha, as well as her brothers James (Waltraud) Glenn in Vienna, Austria; Rev. William (Scott Hafner) Glenn in Santa Rosa, Calif., and Gregory Glenn, John (Sonya) Glenn, both in Omaha. And her nephews and nieces: Staci (Andy) Grier, Laura Andresen, Brian (Dana Stroul) Glenn, Jr., April (Russ) Gamelin, Kirsten (Bernd) Glenn, Amanda (Ted) Stessman, Katie Austerman, Patrick (Sam Lord) Glenn and Elizabeth Glenn, along with many great nieces and nephews.

The honorary pallbearers are Harrison Gamelin, Russ Gamelin, Brian Glenn, Jr., Patrick Glenn, Andy Grier, Scott Hafner, Ted Stessman and Ben Wurtz.

Diana’s family is very grateful to Dr. Susan Scholer who was Diana’s physician for more than a decade. The family is so very thankful for the entire team at Legato Living, who took care of Diana for four years, with kindness and loving hearts. We also greatly appreciate Molly Blazek for her wisdom and counsel on Diana’s journey.

A memorial service will be held for Diana in March – details pending.

Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services, 1702 N. 72 St. Omaha, NE 68114 / 4002-391-2171